http://www.yankton.net/stories/012503/new_20030125022.shtml Bestiality May Become Felony Under Bill
BY JOE KAFKA
Associated Press Writer
PIERRE -- South Dakota legislators took the first step Friday toward approving a law that will make it illegal to have sex with animals.
The bill, endorsed 8-4 by the House Judiciary Committee, would make bestiality a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. Previously convicted sex offenders who use animals for sexual gratification could be locked up for five years, and all found guilty of bestiality would be required to check with police once a year as registered sex offenders.
Rep. Tom Hennies, R-Rapid City, said he offered the bill to protect not only animals but also people. The former police chief said law enforcement training about sex crimes indicates that those who sexually molest animals often progress to similar or even worse crimes against people.
Hennies gave the example of a window peeper whose sexual desires eventually lead to rape and possibly even murder.
ŒŒDeviant behavior escalates,'' Hennies said. ŒŒSociety needs to be protected.''
The bill was prompted by two incidents last year in Pennington County, the Republican lawmaker said, adding that the details were so sick he did not care to publicly discuss them.
Rep. Thomas Deadrick, R-Platte, was not convinced bestiality should be a felony. Voting against the bill, he suggested that such a crime instead be made a misdemeanor. The maximum sentence for a misdemeanor is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Passage of HB1061, which next goes to the full House, would rank bestiality with other sex crimes, such as rape, incest, child pornography, running a prostitution ring and pedophilia.
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