Dolphin Scandal: Journalist Empathizes With Animal Rights Activist Accused of Sexually Assaulting Bottlenose Freddie

Three decades ago, animal lover Alan Cooper was accused of sexually assaulting a dolphin. Journalist Becky Milligan spoke about the scandal in Wondery's podcast "Hooked on Freddie."

Becky Milligan on the Controversial Dolphin Sex Scandal

Milligan talked about her personal encounter with Freddie in one episode of her "Hooked on Freddie" podcast. She visited Amble in 1987 for an audio documentary about clinical depression and swimming with dolphins. There, she met Freddie, and the bottlenose carried her through the water at an impressive speed.

She later asked a lifeboat mechanic how the dolphin did it, and he told her that she swam with an amorous dolphin. At the time, she realized she was clinging to Freddie's erection.

Milligan admitted to catching a glimpse of something underwater. Although she found it strange, she didn't mind but couldn't get it off her mind.

"His penis was holding tight onto me and he was having fun whizzing through the water," Milligan recounted.

She reflected on the dolphin scandal involving animal rights activist Alan Cooper. He went to trial in 1991 after being charged with sexual assault for allegedly masturbating Freddie when they were in the waters. He denied the allegations and was acquitted.

Milligan empathized with Cooper, considering her encounter with the bottlenose dolphin. According to her, the accusation, which many described as weird, strange, and uncomfortable, had undermined someone.

There have been multiple stories when dolphins were caught with their erect penises. In one instance, two sexually aroused dolphins were caught on camera while playing with an anaconda. There's also footage of another dolphin in an aquarium where the mammal appears to be enjoying his time swimming with a visibly erect penis.

What Did Alan Cooper Say About The Dolphin Scandal?

Cooper spoke about the controversy on his website. According to him, the incident happened in the summer of 1990, and the issue allegedly arose due to two individuals - Neil Hope and Paul Waber.

He was swimming with Freddie, and some animal rights pals who joined them swimming were watching from the end of the pier. He remembered Waber swimming over to him, accusing him of being a pervert. Hope shared his allegations with dolphin trainer Peter Bloom, whom many considered an "expert." Bloom claimed in his statement that Cooper should not be allowed to get near Freddie because he allegedly wanked off the dolphin. Cooper admitted that he was "angry and amazed" at the allegations against him.

After the alleged incident, Cooper still met Freddie, and the latter was in his usual self. The dolphin would sometimes hook him with his penis to the leg or arm, which he found to be "perfectly normal."

Another person also told Cooper Northumberland police approached him about the incident. In his statement, he said that "the dolphin behaved perfectly normal; there was no difference in the way it behaved with Alan Cooper, or other swimmers."

In another entry on his website, Cooper explained that even if Freddie hooked swimmers with his penis, there was no thrusting associated with humans. In his view, humans can touch Freddy with their hands, but the only part of the dolphin's anatomy that could be used to connect humans' backs is their penises.

Cooper acknowledged how sexual humans are, especially when it involves a penis. He clarified, however, that he never considered nor thought that anyone could misconstrue Freddie's behavior, his or anybody else's action as indecent.