Introduction

For thousands of years, the use of animals for sexual purposes has been recorded in many societies around the world.^1,2 Such activity has by no means always been tolerated; indeed, it has invariably been condemned for reasons that were often religious or moral in origin,^1,2 but also because some people are repelled by the very thought of interest in sexual activity with animals and find the subject abhorrent.^2,3 It is also a fact that embarrassment about the practice affects many people, from all walks of life (including some veterinarians), thus clouding judgement, making rational discussion difficult, and may even be a contri-butory factor to the paucity of information in Englishlanguage veterinary literature on injuries associated with the abuse.

Terminology

Most people are familiar with the term bestiality, the precise meaning of which has varied in the past but which currently is understood to mean sexual activity between a person and an animal. Unfortunately, the word bestiality, and its modern synonym zoophilia, both focus on the person involved, and as a result any harm that may be suffered by the animal is simply not considered. The term ‘animal sexual abuse’, which has developed from the now familiar term ‘child sexual abuse’, is preferable and more precise.^4,5

What classifies the abuse as sexual?

In essence, it is the fact that the actions centre on the sexual organs, or the anus and rectum (and the cloaca in birds), that distinguishes this type of abuse as sexual in nature (Fig. 14.1).

Fig. 14.1 Post-mortem examination of this markedly decomposed cat was unable to ascertain whether the stick had been inserted into the anus before or after death. Irrespective of this uncertainty, the action of inserting the object is considered sexual in nature.

(By kind permission of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.)

Common sense dictates that whether an animal is physically harmed depends on the actual type of sexual contact and also the size of the animal. It should be realised that certain people who have very strong emotional attachments to their animals do exist, and that these attachments may take on a physical expression.^1,3 These particular owners are insistent that they would not knowingly physically harm their animals. On the other hand, there are people who are totally uncaring of the physical harm that they cause. Some of this physical harm can be extreme.

Veterinarians need to be aware of the existence of the sexual abuse of animals because their particular expertise will be called upon when injury occurs. However, they should focus on harm caused to the animals and avoid discussion of the reasons why the animals have been sexually abused.

Species and sex of animals used

It is a mistake to assume that the sexual activity consists solely of vaginal penile penetration of a farmyard animal by a man. The range of animals (and birds) used by humans for sexual purposes is extensive, and involves a wide variety of activities with both male and female animals by men and women, although women who take part appear to be fewer in number. Some activities may, on the face of it, seem harmless, but some result in severe physical harm and may even cause death. Reports generally appear in literature that is not readily available to (English speaking) veterinarians, and it is quite possible to remain unaware that these activities exist. It is also possible to be unaware of their important wider social aspects, such as the connection between sexual abuse of animals and the sexual abuse of children.^6,7 However, it is a fact that information is widely available on the internet. For example, information can be found on how to ‘groom’ animals (both males and females) for sexual activities, with additional advice as to appropriate size, so that the animal is not physically harmed.

Injuries

The sexual contacts employed include vaginal or anal penile penetration, penetration of the vagina or anus/rectum by an object (a stick or broom handle, for example) and wounds inflicted on, in, or around the genitalia. Depending on the type of sexual act carried out, and the size of the animal, damage can range from no injury to severe injuries. Fatalities can occur.

Only veterinarians have the skills to investigate the injuries associated with sexual abuse, but there is a remarkable paucity of information in English-language veterinary literature. For example, sexual abuse does not appear to be included in the differential diagnosis of vaginal lesions in veterinary obstetrics and gynaecology textbooks, nor has it been considered in texts describing lesions of the male genitalia and the anus and rectum of either sex. However, Reichert, describing a series of cases in cattle, horses and chickens in Germany more than 100 years ago in 1902, considered that the subject should be included in the curriculum at veterinary schools.⁸ Indeed, there is a substantial body of published reports (particularly on farmed livestock and horses) in several European languages. (For references, see Berchtold & Prechtl 2004.⁹)