Denmark is following a trend in Europe to outlaw sexual relations between humans and animals, partly because the country is concerned that it is gaining a reputation for catering to people seeking to engage in legal bestiality.
The news comes on the heels of bans by Germany, Norway and Sweden on bestiality, which is legal in Denmark except for cases in which it can be proven that the animal had suffered.
The government’s intention to prohibit the practice was publicized by Denmark’s Food and Agriculture Minister, Dan Jorgensen. “I have decided that we should ban sex with animals. That is happening for numerous reasons. The most important is that in the vast majority of cases it is an attack against the animals”.
He added: “When the rules have been tightened in the rest of Europe, there’s a risk that Denmark will be considered a refuge for people with this proclivity. That’s why I want to send a clear signal that Denmark is not a refuge for people who want to sexually exploit animals.”
The proposal - which will also require changes in the country’s welfare animal laws - will be introduced next year in parliament, which has previously refused to vote for a bestiality ban, arguing that current laws are sufficient.
Polls in the country have indicated that about 76 percent of the population support a ban on sex with animals.
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