City vet warns ‘bestiality’ poses health risks

The Puerto Princesa City Veterinary Office (CVO) warned Friday that having intercourse with animals can cause the possible mutation of bacteria and virus to humans.

Dr. Indira Santiago, chief of the CVO, said Friday the risks are higher for humans involved in bestiality or sexual relations with animals. She said her office too will conduct a probe regarding the animal cruelty incident, but did not elaborate when they will start or if they have already started.

“Ang hindi natin alam ngayon, maaaring sa kanya ngayon wala pang sintomas tapos kung may girlfriend siya o asawa rin siya o ma-involve siya sa ibang form ng sexual activity, maaaring yong mga secretion na mailalabas niya doon o nakuha niya sa aso ay maaaring mailipat yon sa tao uli,” she said.

(What we do not know now is maybe the symptoms are not yet manifesting on him and if he has a girlfriend or wife and he is involved in other forms of sexual activity, there is a possibility that he can transfer secretions he got from the dog to another human.)

Santiago issued the warning after news came out about a dog that was allegedly raped by a gang recently in Puerto Princesa City.

The incident was shared on Facebook on January 9 by Strategic Power for Animal Respondents (SPAR)-Philippines, an animal rights group.

Santiago said even dogs can be afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) through sexual intercourse, adding there is still no medication available for such infections.

This is outside the scope of human morality, she said.

“Unang-una sa mata ng Diyos, pangit ang ganoong aktibidad. Wala siya sa scope ng moralidad ng tao. Pangalawa, yong disease transmission, ‘di na natin ma-control. Makikita natin na ngayong panahon, ibaiba na ang mga sakit na lumalabas,” she added.

(In the eyes of the Lord, such activity is repulsive. It’s not within the scope of man’s morality. Second, we cannot control disease transmission. We can see that right now, various diseases are coming out.)