Canada's Supreme Court has declared that most sex acts between people and animals are legal, as long as no penetration is involved, in a controversial bestiality ruling that has been slammed by animal rights groups.
It was reported that the case involved a British Columbia man,identified by "UNKNOWN" was convicted of 13 counts of sexually assaulting his stepdaughters, but was acquitted of bestiality — because he "only" forced dogs into oral sex, without penetration being involved. The man "smeared peanut butter on the genitals of his victims and had the family dog lick it off while he videotaped the act."
While a Canadian law passed in 1955
sought to punish bestiality, the Supreme Court argued that the
definition of the word does not cover every sex act with an animal.
"Although bestiality was often subsumed in terms such as sodomy or buggery, penetration was the essence — 'the defining act' — of the offence," the court ruled.
"There is no hint in any of the parliamentary record that any substantive change to the elements of the offence of bestiality was intended," it added.
"Although bestiality was often subsumed in terms such as sodomy or buggery, penetration was the essence — 'the defining act' — of the offence," the court ruled.
"There is no hint in any of the parliamentary record that any substantive change to the elements of the offence of bestiality was intended," it added.
Justice Rosalie Abella, the lone
dissenter in the 7-1 ruling, said that penetration should not be
considered essential when defining bestiality.
"Acts with animals that have a sexual purpose are inherently exploitative whether or not penetration occurs," Abella said.
Animal rights groups, including Animal Justice, has said that such "outdated" laws are failing to protect Canada's animals, as seen in the latest decision.
"As of today, Canadian law gives animal abusers license to use animals for their own sexual gratification," executive director of Animal Justice Camille Labchuk said. "This is completely unacceptable, contrary to societal expectations, and cannot be allowed to continue."
"People who sexually abuse animals are sometimes linked to sexually abusing children as well, as the accused did in this case," Labchuk added. "That's a really good reason parliament needs to act."
"Acts with animals that have a sexual purpose are inherently exploitative whether or not penetration occurs," Abella said.
Animal rights groups, including Animal Justice, has said that such "outdated" laws are failing to protect Canada's animals, as seen in the latest decision.
"As of today, Canadian law gives animal abusers license to use animals for their own sexual gratification," executive director of Animal Justice Camille Labchuk said. "This is completely unacceptable, contrary to societal expectations, and cannot be allowed to continue."
"People who sexually abuse animals are sometimes linked to sexually abusing children as well, as the accused did in this case," Labchuk added. "That's a really good reason parliament needs to act."
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