Calls for legislation after sexually abused dog had to be euthanized

The dog above had to be euthanized after suffering severe sexual abuse. (Facebook)

August 26^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) A case reported last week by CRHoy.com of a dog that was so severely sexually abused by its owner on multiple occasions that it had to be euthanized has renewed calls for the passage of an animal abuse law that has been stuck in the Legislature since late last year.

According to Desiré Cubero, a volunteer at the Animal Rescue Association, this sort of abuse is actually “common,” and that the organization had recently rescued another dog that had been sexually abused, Cubero told Spanish-language news site, CRhoy.com.

Worse still, Cubero said those who sexually abuse animals often proceed to the abuse of children.

Daniela Segura, a member of the Animal Relief Association of Cartago, reiterated the fact that sexual abuse of animals is common.  In one such case, a man collected street dogs for four years and sexually abused them.  “They have done nothing to charge him because there is no law [against sexual abuse of animals],” Segura told CRHoy.com.

The Law on Animal Abuse, which has been stuck in the Legislature since November of last year, provides jail sentences for the mistreatment of both wild and domestic animals.

Among the bill’s provisions are prison sentences of one to six years for any person who intentionally inflicts pain or suffering to an animal resulting in its death, or those who intentionally injure, torture or assault animals.