[Zoophilia between pathology and normality. Presentation of 3 case reports and an internet survey].

Zoophilia, a sexual preference for animals, has lost its character as a severe mental disorder. In clinical practice it is rarely seen nowadays, particularly since it was decriminalized in 1970. This research is based on three case reports and an anonymous interview over the Internet. Findings from this study do not offer explanations about the causes of zoophilia. It is noteworthy, however, that the subjects in question were socially well adapted and displayed good interpersonal social skills. The authors stress that zoophilia shows a variety of manifestations. The subject's desire to be transformed into the animal he or she has contact with can be understood as a narcissistic compound and is not related to lycanthropia. The authors are optimistic over the possibilities offered by this Internet research methodology.