Bestiality isn't a crime in Florida: Goat abuse sparks outcry

[trumad]

After a goat was raped and killed in a Panhandle town, animal activists, police and citizens were almost as shocked to find out that bestiality isn't a crime in Florida.

<snip>
Rich said she was as shocked as she was disgusted when she learned of the rape and asphyxiation last year of a family pet goat named Meg -- who was pregnant with twins -- in the town of Mossy Head in rural Walton County.

A suspect in the case, a 48-year-old man, is serving an 11-month, 29-day jail sentence on animal-theft charges in connection with the attempted abduction of another goat in a separate case, according to Walton County Assistant State Attorney James Parker.

Parker said he couldn't prosecute the suspect in the death of Meg because DNA samples taken with a sheriff's office rape kit were inconclusive.

Parker said he asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement last week to retest the evidence.

But even if there's a DNA match, Parker said the suspect could only be charged with misdemeanor trespassing and animal cruelty, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Parker said the suspect could not be arrested for bestiality because it isn't a crime. The prosecutor added that the man is ''definitely a suspect'' because he was arrested trying to take another person's goat Feb. 3 shortly after Meg was choked to death from her collar that had been tightly held around her neck.

Parker said it was the suspect's second livestock-theft charge. Dee Thompson-Poirrier, of Okaloosa County Animal Services, said Meg the goat was once featured at a 4-H Club, and had been given to a family with small children by a neighbor who had suspected an area man -- she wouldn't say who -- of abusing the animal.
http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/366527.html

[Swamp Rat]

1. GROSS!

:puke:

[mwb970]

2. He's in jail for "attempted abduction of a goat"??

This guy has got to be a Republican. He has all the earmarks!

[aikoaiko]

3. If they get him on Animal Cruelty, the 5 year max sentence sounds about right.

Its amazing that beastiality isn't a crime in FL.

[hlthe2b]

4. Surely there must be a hungry tiger somewhere....

:mad:

No, I'm not serious, but where do these people come from? Damn him...

[SidDithers]

5. Florida? Really?...

who'da thunk it?

Sid

[mvccd1000]

6. Haha! Wasn't a crime in Arizona, either, until the same thing happened recently.

Within the last 4-5 years, Captain in the Mesa Fire Department was caught in his neighbor's yard, schlepping the goat. The legislature jumped on that one and outlawed such activities the next session.

I was equally surprised to find out it hadn't already been a crime in Arizona.

[salin]

7. Those darn goats are just too seductive for their own good!

:sarcasm:

[frylock]

8. tape down his paws and give him a good ol' LEGAL texas dog-fucking

</david_cross>

dude's prolly a homophobe too.

[ck4829]

9. So let me get this straight...

Gay people are second class citizens down there in that State because of the 'moral' majority in Florida, but this same movement didn't outlaw raping and killing defenseless animals, do I have that right?

[helderheid]

10. JEEBUS!!!

:puke:

[NoFederales]

11. Go on Rudy! I knew he was on to something down there......... nt

NoFederales

[MilesColtrane]

12. Wonder what they do to greasy goat fuckers in prison? n/t