JUNEAU - A bill that would criminalize bestiality has continued its path toward state law books.

Supporters say the measure, which cleared the Senate State Affairs Committee today, would close an important gap in Alaska law.

Public animal control commissioners in Fairbanks have lined up unanimously behind the bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage.

Ronnie Rosenberg, the Fairbanks commission's chairwoman, told the State Affairs Commission on Monday that people who work or regularly volunteer at shelters are bound to eventually care for an animal that has been sexually abused by a person. In Fairbanks, an active duty soldier last summer was accused of sodomizing a dachshund that eventually needed medical care and Rosenberg said a more recent case has emerged involving a puppy.

"It's very important that we have the (legal) tools so the troopers can pursue these," Rosenberg said of animal sexual cruelty cases.

The animal cruelty laws already in statute generally make it a misdemeanor to torture or intentionally kill animals outside of standard veterinary care or common farming practices. Lynn's proposed change would add the crime of "knowingly ... engag(ing) in sexual conduct with an animal."

Lynn said studies indicate someone who abuses animals is far more likely that others to move on and abuse children or vulnerable adults.

Rachel Dzuiba, a veterinarian with the Gastineau Humane Society in Juneau, said the bill is well written and would provide one more option to help stop "a cycle of abuse" in Alaska.

The House has already unanimously passed the bill, HB6, which now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Contact staff writer Christopher Eshleman at 459.7582.