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Ohio Senate approves bill to ban bestiality
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The Ohio Senate OK’d legislation that would ban people from having sexual relations with animals.
SB 195 passed on a unanimous vote Wednesday and heads to the Ohio House for further consideration. That chamber would have to act in the next week or so for the legislation to be finalized this session.
Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, a primary bill co-sponsor, said sexual abuse of animals is often a precursor to other sex crimes or deviant behavior.
“Without a doubt, this is a very dark and disturbing subject matter that no one wants to speak about,” he said. “Candidly, it’s uncomfortable. However, the reality of the situation is that this is an issue in the underbelly of society that has disturbing consequences.”
An analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Commission determined that sexual abuse of animals falls outside of Ohio’s animal-cruelty laws. Anti-bestiality bills have been introduced in recent general assemblies to address the loophole but have not been enacted.
This session’s SB 195 includes provisions for criminal charges against perpetrators, the seizure of animals that have been abused and court-ordered psychological evaluations and counseling for offenders.
Sen. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, the other bill co-sponsor, said Ohio remains one of only 11 states without anti-bestiality laws.
“The internet is being used more frequently for offenders to attempt to acquire animals for the sexual purpose or to advertise the use of an animal for the sexual gratification of other humans,” he said. “Bestiality is by nature sexual coercion, because animals are incapable of giving consent. … The physical harm to animals has been so significant in some cases the animal is left untreatable and euthanasia was the only available option.”