Pigs
Zoophiles are threatening action against the government if it proceeds with a bestiality ban. Photo: Heath Missen
Germany plans to ban the practice of people having sex with animals, sparking a threat of legal action from a group of "zoophiles," a newspaper reported on Monday.
The government plans to toughen animal protection laws - which currently only prohibit the practice if the animal is injured - with fines of 25,000 euros ($A31,250), reported the daily Taz.
The Bundestag's agriculture committee will discuss the amendment on Wednesday. It plans to send the measure to parliament by mid-December, said the report, citing committee chairman Hans-Michael Goldmann.
The group Veterinarians against Zoophilia says thousands of Germans exchange information online about sex with animals and that some farms rent out animals for sexual exploitation.
The new law would also ban such animal brothels and the training of animals for sex with humans.
The group Zoophiles for Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to take legal action against the amendment, its chairman, Michael Kiok, was quoted as telling the newspaper.
"Perceptions of morality have no place in law, especially if they are so hypocritical," said Kiok, who told the paper he lives with Cessie, an eight-year-old female dog.
Read More at SMH.com.au