By Tash Reddy
Experts have warned that the increasing number of South Africans indulging in bestiality will have disastrous affects on both human and animal populations.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is concerned that misconceptions, such as having sex with animals minimises the risk of getting Aids, were likely to result in more animals being sexually violated and medical authorities have warned that humans could contract even worse diseases than HIV and Aids from animals.
SPCA spokesperson Christine Kuch said: "As much as it is by nature a hidden crime, many incidents are slowly coming to the forefront.
"Now, more than ever, animals are being violated because a misconception exists that having sex with an animal minimises the risks of contracting HIV."
She mentioned that recently a three-month-old puppy had been "raped" and left at their offices in Sandton.
Police are investigating but no one has been arrested.
Prof Abdool Karim, an HIV and Aids expert from the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said there was concern about other more devastating infections which could be introduced and spread.
"If people think they are solving the crisis by having sex with animals, they are desperately wrong and grossly misinformed. They are instead opening themselves up to even worse potential infections," said Karim.
According to Karim, the perpetrators were accurate in that they would not contract HIV, but the risk of contracting other infections was great.
"Animals are unable to harbour the HIV virus, but if we look at the history of HIV, you will see the risks of contracting other diseases is a valid concern," he said.
The human immuno deficiency virus started in the 1930s and came from the African green monkey.
The virus, known as simian immuno deficiency virus, jumped across the species, but originally was adapted to grow in animals.
"As a parasite it learned to live with its host instead of killing it, but when it transferred to humans, it couldn't adapt, and kills its host. Retro viruses, like feline immuno deficiency virus, contracted from animals, could have the same or worse impact," Karim said.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecutions Office said bestiality was a criminal offence as animals were protected by the Animal Protection Act and offenders could be fined up to R20 000 or a sentenced to a year in prison.