Each year, thousands of cases of animal cruelty are reported. Animals are neglected, beaten, tortured, abused, and killed in hundreds of unspeakable ways. About two percent of all reported cases of animal cruelty involve sex between an animal and a human.

Sexual interaction between humans and animals has been happening for thousands of years. Images have been painted on walls, memorialized in famous artworks, made the subject of Greek mythology, and even spoken of in the Bible. But today, animal sex abuse is illegal in most states in the U.S. and in many foreign countries.

The reason sex with animals is considered a crime is that an animal does not have the ability to consent. Bestiality, like rape or pedophilia, is the eroticism of control and exploitation. The abuse may or may not include violence, and it may or may not result in injury to the animal.

Bestiality (also called zoophilia, sodomy, or crimes against nature) is more appropriately referred to as “animal sexual abuse,” and generally includes any contact or interaction between a human and an animal for the purposes of sexual gratification. Interaction can also include pornographic images of humans using animals for sexual gratification.

Who Does it and Why?

“It’s my dog. What’s the problem?” asked a Muskegon, MI man convicted on multiple counts of animal sexual abuse.

The American Psychiatric Association considers sexual attraction to animals to be a paraphilia, or abnormal sexual desire. Other types of paraphilia are sadomasochism, exhibitionism, or pedophilia—behaviors that are also present in many animal sex abuse cases.

Men are caught more often than women, but in either case, the abusers are generally socially isolated individuals who have difficulty forming healthy interpersonal relationships. Although statistics are sparse and hotly debated, some studies indicate that as much as five percent of the U.S. population has had sexual contact with an animal at sometime during their life.

There’s no “cure” for having a sexual attraction to animals, and repeat offenders are common. Abusers often return to the same animal many times—whether they own the animal or not.

Often when an incidence of animal sex abuse is reported, evidence of other crimes will be present—child pornography, trespassing or illegal entry, and substance abuse are all common. Abusers are often registered sex offenders or have previously been convicted for animal cruelty.

While dogs are by far the most often sexually abused animal, horses are the second most often used, followed by livestock such as cattle, goats, swine, or fowl.

Washington Cases Involving Horses

“He is not being charged with animal cruelty at this time” said Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran. “It’s a waste of county taxpayers’ money and time.”

Sex between humans and horses comprises about 10% of all reported cases of animal cruelty. You might be wondering, “Exactly how does one have sex with a horse?” and the answers are as varied as the ways in which humans interact: oral, anal, vaginal, foreplay, and masturbation have all been reported.

In 2005 Washington gained international attention when a Boeing engineer named Ken Pinyan, died after having sex with an Arabian stallion at a small farm in Enumclaw. Pinyan died of a perforated colon, indicating he was on the receiving end of things, so to speak.

At the time of Pinyan’s death, animal sex abuse was not illegal in Washington State, and it was not until 2006 that a law was passed banning bestiality.

In 2010 another infamous case involving horses happened in Washington. This time a remote property in Sumas, near the Canadian border, was raided for the purpose of serving a warrant on Doug Spink, who had violated parole for 2003 conviction for drug trafficking. When officers arrived, they found videotapes of a British citizen who was visiting Spink, having sex with several of Spink’s dogs. Other evidence obtained from computer and Internet searches revealed that Spink considered one of his horses his “husband” and had apparently been having sex with his horses and dogs for years.

Spink was well known in the Canadian sport horse circle. His well-bred Holsteiners Capone and Cantour were often in the money at Spruce Meadows. Although Spink was known to be a bit of an odd-ball—sleeping in the barn, performing ceremonial rituals with his horses, and other non-traditional behavior—what most people didn’t realize was that Spink’s behavior constituted an intimate, sexual relationship with his horses.

Washington State ranks among the highest in the country for number of reported cases of animal sexual abuse.

Just last month, horse owners in Battle Ground, Washington reported a case of suspected sexual abuse to authorities. One of their mares had a gaping wound near her vulva and her tail and one hock were covered in blood. The vet said there was evidence of internal bruising but the investigating officer felt the injury was the result of the mare rubbing vigorously against a hazelnut tree in the pasture. The case is still under investigation at the time of this writing.

The State of Affairs

“I am horrified. In nineteen years I’ve never heard of a crime like this,” said the arresting officer in a Florida case

Animal sex abuse is vastly under reported. The abuse happens in secret, often at night, often between the animal and its owner, and the victim can’t tell.

There are no accurate statistics available on how often it happens or where. Scholars don’t study it, therapists don’t want to talk about it, and prosecutors don’t want to litigate it.

The ick factor is huge. There’s also a problem with the “Bill Clinton effect” of defining what “is” is. Veterinarians are generally not taught to recognize clinical signs of sexual abuse in animals. And many veterinarians, law enforcement officers, and lots of judges often don’t believe sex with an animal causes any harm.

One Superior Court Judge in New Jersey dismissed animal cruelty charges against a police officer accused of sticking his penis into the mouths of five calves, claiming a grand jury couldn’t infer whether the cows had been “tormented” by the situation or just irritated that they’d been duped out of a meal.

So what can you do to protect your horses or other animals?

Be Aware

As horse owners, we are often acutely aware when “something’s not right” with our horses. Your horse may be agitated, moody, or show signs of physical trauma—especially in the genital area. Look for signs of bruising, lesions, or fluid on the genitals, flanks, or mouth.

You may notice things have been moved. Buckets, tack trunks, or other items may have been pulled into the stall in order for the abuser to reach a mare or even a stallion’s genitals. You may find halters, leads, or other items used to catch or restrain your horse, or sometimes, personal items will be left behind.

If you don’t already have surveillance equipment, consider investing it in. If the equipment is visible, however, an experienced animal sex abuser may cover the camera or otherwise tamper with it.

Never, ever release a horse to anyone without thoroughly checking that person’s suitability for your horse. Animal sex offenders very commonly volunteer at stables or animal shelters, or otherwise hang out where their preferred sex partners may be found.

Take Action

“The police kept telling me it couldn’t be the same guy,” said the SC horse owner, “but I couldn’t believe there were two guys going around doing this to the same horse.”

If you think something is wrong, it probably is.

More than one case has been solved because the owner was paying attention. Animal sex abusers often return to the same horse. If your horse is not behaving normally, figure out why.

Don’t hesitate to contact animal control or your local law enforcement. If you don’t get a response, call again. Remember that most animal control officers have never investigated a case of animal sex abuse. It’s appropriate for the officer to respond cautiously and look for explanations that may not include sexual activity.

The more complete your information, the more likely an officer will be able to help you. Make detailed notes right away about your suspicions. Note any strange smells, sounds, behaviors, and the date and time of day you think something occurred. Photograph or sketch the animal, any injuries, anything disturbed in the stall or paddock. Ask others who work with or around your horse if they heard or saw anything that might be helpful.

If you suspect physical injury, ask your veterinarian to perform a detailed examination and collect any suspicious fluids. DNA evidence has been used successfully to convict animal abusers in several cases.

Be Prepared for Disappointment

“We weren’t really able to substantiate anything,” said a veterinarian of nearly 20 years.

“But this is the first time I’ve ever been involved in a case like this…where do you start?

“We’re not exactly trained to look for signs of sexual abuse in an animal.”

It’s sad but true that animal cases often do not receive the attention they deserve.

Animal control officers have virtually no control over what gets charged or prosecuted. And they absolutely have no control over convictions and sentencing. Most animal cruelty cases are charged as misdemeanors, which receive much lighter penalties than felonies. Although animal sex abuse is a felony in Washington, Oregon, and Canada, it is not unusual for the charges to be reduced or minimum sentencing to be imposed should the abuser be convicted.

Bottom line: your best defense is a good offense. Pay attention to what happens in your barn, and share your concerns with others—especially your legislators.

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About the Author:
Jenny Edwards is Director of Investigations & Training for Chandler Edwards, Inc. – a training & consulting company specializing in complex animal cruelty cases. A Washington State resident, Jenny was formerly the Executive Director of Hope For Horses, an equine welfare organization that both trains animal control officers & assists them in investigation & prosecution of equine cruelty cases. She is a certified animal control officer, sits on the boards of the Unwanted Horse Coalition & the National Coalition of State Horse Councils, & conducts regular in-service & certified training sessions for law enforcement and animal control officers on the topic of animal sex abuse & other extreme animal crimes.