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Goat's Rape, Death Prompt Bestiality Bill

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By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 3, 2008

Bestiality isn't a crime in Florida.

A St. Petersburg lawmaker, however, is trying to make it a first-degree felony for humans to have sex with animals after a pregnant goat was raped and killed in Walton County last year.

State Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg, crafted the bill to prevent anyone from knowingly committing bestiality, knowingly causing or aiding another person to have sex with an animal, or knowingly permitting sex with an animal at a property under his control.

State Sen. Nan Rich, D-Sunrise, filed an identical bill based on Peterman's request. She said she thinks there is a direct correlation between animal abuse and child abuse.

If the bill becomes law, having sex with an animal would result in a harsher penalty than committing an act to an animal that results in that animal's "cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering." Those types of incidents constitute a third-degree felony.

Rich said there's room for compromise on her bestiality bill and that she might consider lessening the punishment in order for it to pass.

The bill would take effect Oct. 1.

Researcher Stephanie Pincus contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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