TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) — A measure that makes it a crime to engage in sexual activities with animals has finally passed the Florida Legislature after years of inaction.

Sen. Nan Rich has filed the measure for years, but often it has failed to get very far, in part because of its awkward subject matter that has led committee chairmen to not want to hear the bill.

Wednesday evening however, the House passed SB 344 unanimously, which garnered cheers.

The bill makes it a crime to have “knowing” sexual contact with animals.

It now goes to Gov. Rick Scott to sign into law. The state previously had no law specifically prohibiting sexual contact between humans and animals.

An infamous case arose in 2005 when prosecutors had difficulty bringing charges against a blind Tallahassee man accused of having sex with his guide dog.

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