Texas lawmakers file measures outlawing bestiality

AUSTIN - It's not a crime for people in Texas to have sex with animals. When law enforcement comes across animal sexual abuse cases, they often only prosecute offenders for animal cruelty or public lewdness, according to various officials.

A bill moving through the Texas House would officially outlaw bestiality, making participation in, promotion of or observation of any sexual contact with an animal punishable by up to two years in state jail. If an animal were to suffer serious bodily injuries or die because of the sexual contact, the offender would face a second-degree felony charge.

"There's nothing in the law that protects animals from sexual abuse," though 42 other states already ban bestiality, said state Rep. Carol Alvarado, the author of House Bill 1087.

Protecting animals from sexual abuse also protects children from pedophiles and partners from sexual violence, the Houston Democrat said. Alvarado pointed to a 2008 sexual misconduct study that concluded there's a higher risk for committing child sexual abuse if a person has engaged in bestiality.

"I don't know how somebody can turn a blind eye to that, defend that or ignore that," Alvarado said, acknowledging that her bill tackles an unorthodox issue.

Last week, the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee approved sending the bill to the full House for a vote. State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, has filed an identical bill that is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

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