bestiality

Bestiality is the performance of any sexual act between a human being and an animal. In criminal statutes , bestiality is also committed when a person (1) aids or abets another person’s sexual acts with an animal; (2) permits sexual acts with an animal on any premises that they control; (3) in any way furthers sexual acts with an animal, including observation of such acts; or (4) photographs or films sexual acts with an animal for the purpose of sexual gratification, whether their own or another’s. Some state statutes instead include bestiality under the ambit of a crime against nature or sodomy .

While once a crime under common law , currently all but four U.S. states have criminal statutes against bestiality. These statutes make those convicted of the offense guilty of either a misdemeanor or felony , depending on both the state and the severity of the crime. As of June 2021, only Hawaii, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wyoming did not have laws against bestiality.

[Last reviewed in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team ]