Los Angeles Transient Convicted of Violating California’s Animal Abuse Laws
In a rather disturbing case, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office announced it convicted a 62-year-old transient male for violating California’s animal abuse laws based on an incident where he was seen having sex with a dog in public under a freeway underpass. This was not the man’s first allegation of animal abuse, as he had previously been reported for mistreating additional animals. Apparently, the defendant had regularly adopted dogs from the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter throughout the years.
This case serves as an example as to just how far California’s animal abuse and neglect laws reach. California routinely prosecutes animal abuse cases that involve physical violence, neglect, sexual abuse, cockfighting/dogfighting, etc…basically any offense that endangers the health, safety and/or well-being of an animal.
And, despite the fact that animal sexual abuse sounds like it involves an unwelcome assault, you can be convicted of sexually abusing / sexually assaulting an animal if you engage in any sexual conduct for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying yourself…even if the animal doesn’t resist (or even if it appears to enjoy the activity).
