Clinical Case Studies – Introduction

Bestiality—the human use of various other animals for sexual pleasure—is the subject; it is not a new one. Like sodomy and other forms of sexual perversion, bestiality has been practiced for thousands of years and probably since the beginning of human life. The earliest writers mention the practice, some of them frequently. The Bible, too, takes special notice of it. Through the Bible we learn that bestiality was widespread during the time of Moses. In Leviticus (C. 18, Vs. 22, 23, p4), we see it condemned along with homosexuality, although to a lesser degree: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is adomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: FOR IN ALL THESE THE NATIONS ARE DEFILED which I cast out before you.” In the sight of God, then, homosexual activity is abominable while bestiality is merely confusing.

If we seek reasons human beings practice bestiality, we cannot consider the animals involved; the reasons are entirely human, since the animals have no choice in the matter. When we examine the reasons given by those who have practiced bestiality, we find they are many and varied, and that all of them have the aim of justification. It is evidential that a great number of people in the U.S. are experimenting, if not having actual genital relationships, with animals. And an even greater number are fantasizing about it.

Using the Kinsey reports (which are now more than 20 years old), we learn that more men than women use animals for sexual pleasure. Today, as in the past, men indulge themselves with a much greater variety of animal-partners, but they begin at an earlier age and are less constant than women.

The sexual behavior revealed in the following narratives is that of five women, each of whom sought erotic satisfaction in animal contact. Identities have been disguised for the usual reasons, but the individual “confessions” have not been altered in any way; the words are those of the women themselves.