Confronting the sexual abuse of animals

VETS must mention the unmentionable, and confront the issue of people who sexually abuse animals. The call comes from Helen Munro of the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, UK, in a commentary published in the September issue of The Veterinary Journal (vol 172, p 195).

"The impression is that many continue to think of bestiality as a farmyard activity involving animals sufficiently large enough not to be injured, and therefore not much to worry about," she writes. "It seems that even in these modern times, the sexual abuse of animals is almost a last taboo, even to the veterinary profession."

Far from being a harmless, or even humorous activity, sexual abuse is a serious issue in animal welfare. Munro highlights a case report in the same journal of a man who used a bottle to cause horrendous, and fatal, vaginal and anal injuries to five calves. The perpetrator is undergoing psychiatric and psychological tests to decide whether he is punishable by law, researchers report (p 374).

Munro goes further and poses the broader question of whether animals "trained" to passively accept human sexual contact are still harmed even if they show no signs of physical damage. She also cites evidence that people who abuse animals often also abuse children or elderly people. "Veterinarians may wish to ponder on this," she says.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London, says it urges vets who suspect abuse to report it, "even if this may mean breaking client confidentiality".

Andrew Rowan of the US Humane Society agrees that vets should be more vigilant, and that a legal requirement to report abuse would help. The only complication, he adds, is that abusive owners might avoid taking animals they injure for treatment, or even kill them to avoid discovery