A HUSBAND and wife contacted another woman over the internet to arrange sex with a dog, a court has heard.

Tina Marion Reichelt, 52, Garry Paul Reichelt, 51, both of Clare, and Kathleen Modystack, 58, of Ovingham, appeared in the District Court today.

They have previously pleaded guilty to one count each of bestiality.

The court has heard the Reichelts considered the action "taboo, not illegal".

Today, Judge Geoffrey Muecke said Modystack did not have any sexual contact with the animals but was in contact with Tina Reichelt, via the internet, to arrange the activity.

Lawyers for the trio claim the two dogs involved were not harmed and said investigations by the RSPCA had not led to their removal.

However, Judge Muecke said there was no way to know for certain if it was a "victimless crime".

"I don't quite know how one trains a dog to (perform sexual acts) with a woman but there is other evidence before me that indicates one (of the dogs) at least seemed to know what to do," Judge Muecke said.

Alexandra Wright, for Tina Reichelt, said her client would not have participated in the activity if she thought the offending would harm the animals.

She said the offending was an "aberration" and asked for the charge against Reichelt to be dismissed without conviction as she had already suffered because of her actions.

"The humiliation that she now endures, the loss of her ability to work or even volunteer in her chosen field, the loss of her family relationships and the social shunning are, of themselves, very significant punishments and indeed very significant deterrents," she said.

The court heard the acts were recorded.

The matter will be heard again in April.

Originally published as Couple arranged sex with dog