A 16-year-old boy appeared in Christchurch Youth Court today on a charge of bestiality after allegedly having sex with a donkey.



The youth has automatic name suppression because of his age.



He appeared before Judge Stephen Erber after his arrest yesterday. He had been held in custody overnight.



Police have said the charge arose from an incident in Sumner's Sumnervale Reserve when a nearby resident phoned police to report what was happening in the field below their house and took photographs.



Police said the youth did not live locally, and had given no explanation for his actions.



He was remanded to reappear in court on May 4