TALLAHASSEE — Since 2001, there have been about a dozen documented cases in Florida of people sexually assaulting animals.

While that may be disgusting, it's not illegal. Florida is one of about 20 states with no specific law prohibiting sex acts with animals.

Law enforcement here is forced to employ indecent exposure charges, hard-to-prove animal cruelty charges or not file any at all.

A bill introduced this session (SB 744, HB 1227) would make it a felony to have any contact with an animal for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Sen. Nan Rich agreed to sponsor the bill after the humane society called her about a pregnant goat raped by a man. "Certainly, I thought this had to be already against the law," said Rich, a Weston Democrat.

Responsible for a number of child and animal welfare laws, Rich took up the bill because she believes animal abusers eventually hurt other people. "Every serial killer that anyone can recall has been an animal abuser as well," she said.

But Rich has not been able to get the bill before a committee. She has asked Sen. Paula Dockery, chairwoman of the criminal justice committee, to take it up. Dockery could not be reached for comment.

The taboo subject and graphic nature of the acts may be the reason the bill seems to be stalled, Rich said.

"I think there's a discomfort for people about discussing this," Rich said. "We don't understand why. People are very comfortable up here discussing sexual predators. Well, this is sexual predator."

Dee Thompson-Poirrier, director of animal control for Okaloosa County, said there was a lot of backlash in the community when she investigated the goat case last year in nearby Walton County.

When Thompson-Poirrier pushed to have a rape test performed, she said she heard: "'It's just a goat, lady, get a grip.' A lot of people said, 'You're wasting your money. You're wasting the court's time.'"