The apparent financial failure of several sorid bestiality websites and forums has drawn applause from animal rights activists.
“It’s head-spinning to even contemplate that such sites exist,” said Wayne Pacelle of Animal Wellness Action.
“Let’s hope the news of these dark sites going dark is accurate. I am skeptical and also worried that if they do disappear in that form, they’ll simply organize themselves under a new name,” he added.
Colleen O’Brien, vice president for communications at PETA, also heralded the closure.
“As the group that secured the first ever conviction of perpetrators of crush videos, in which live animals are crushed for sexual gratification, we wish these sites had never existed in the first place and wonder what that special place in hell looks like for people who sexually abuse animals,” she told Secrets.
In an email, Pacelle revealed that a site called “BeastForum.com” was closing this month. He also blogged about it on his group’s website.
On the website, a moderator said the site would close Feb. 15. It also controls other X-rated sites.
“Dear Beastforum.com and Tubesite members. It is with great sadness that we have decided to close down Beastforum.com, Petsex.com, Gaybeast.com, AnimalFlix.com, Barnlove.com and associated sites. It is no longer feasible to operate and run the sites. The site will be taken offline the 15th of February 2019. Thank you all for the support you have provided during the last 17 years,” it said.
Pacelle cited a report about the closure on piunikaweb.com, a new site dedicated to tech-related stories.
“Part of the explanation for the possible termination of the sites may be that federal legislation is likely to advance that will establish a national policy against bestiality,” said Pacelle.
The closure follows after the re-introduction on Capitol Hill of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, which would establish a national anticruelty law.
It passed the Senate last year but was held up by a key Republican in the House who has since retired.
It is expected to pass. President Trump has already signaled support for pro-animal legislation, and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, is a well-known animal advocate.
Pacelle said animal rights may be a uniting issue.
“At a time when our nation is divided, opposition to animal cruelty is one of the ideas that unites us. Our nation should have a zero-tolerance policy for malicious cruelty, and the PACT Act complements the work of the states in rooting out malicious mistreatment of animals in many, varied, and, in some cases, deviant forms,” he said.
