Map Options

Map Type:
Download SVG:
map placeholder
Misdemeanor
21
Felony
21
Misdemeanor or Felony
6
Legal

Beastiality Legal States 2023

Beastiality Legal States 2023

Many people are interested in unusual sexual practices, and one of the most common is bestiality. Bestiality refers to a practice where people have sex with animals. Because it is very difficult to tell if an animal is giving consent, this is generally referred to as sexual abuse. It is something that is frowned upon in society, and the vast majority of states have laws in place that prohibit it from happening. As of 2021, there are only four states in the country that do not have laws prohibiting this practice. They are Hawaii, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wyoming. It is important to remember that these states are not condoning it, but they do not necessarily have a law against it.

Is It Okay To Have Sex With an Animal?

No, it is not okay for someone to have sex with an animal. In the vast majority of places across the country, it is illegal. Therefore, people could face fines or jail time for doing so. Furthermore, it is very possible for someone to harm an animal during this practice. Again, it is impossible for an animal to consent to sexual acts. Animal cruelty is illegal, and it could be possible for someone to face additional fines or sanctions under other laws that they may have violated. Finally, there is also a moral issue at stake. Even though sexuality has become more open during the past few years, there is a difference between liberalizing sexual practices and bestiality. It is not acceptable for someone to have sex with an animal.

Can You Go To Jail for Bestiality?

Yes, it is possible for you to go to jail for engaging in this type of practice. State statutes list beastiality as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the location. The severity of the crime is also taken into consideration. It is important to take a closer look at the laws in your specific area, as the exact penalties can vary depending on a number of factors. There are some states that may send you to jail, but it will also be dependent on your prior criminal record. If you have committed other crimes in the past, then you may face significant jail time. Furthermore, the district attorney or prosecutor could decide to come after you for animal cruelty, which opens the door to additional penalties.

Can You Watch Animals Have Sex?

Even though you might be punished for having sex with an animal, there are plenty of people who enjoy watching animals have sex. In some cases, it is very difficult to get away from it, particularly if you are going to a zoo. Even though it might be a bit embarrassing if you are caught watching animals have sex, it is not illegal. On the other hand, the animals could get mad at you. Even though animals are not people, they may not take kindly to someone watching them have sex. Therefore, it is probably better to give animals privacy if they are engaging in sexual activity of any kind.

Beastiality Legal States 2023

Notes:
- As bestiality is illegal in all 50 states, the table below displays each state's legal classification and penalty for bestiality.

Download Table Data

Enter your email below, and you'll receive this table's data in your inbox momentarily.

State
Penalty
Law Link
Penalty Details
ConnecticutMisdemeanor or FelonySourceClass A misdemeanor or class D felony
HawaiiMisdemeanor or FelonySourceMisdemeanor for the first offense | Class C felony for the second or subsequent offense | Committed in the presence of a minor, sexual assault of an animal is a class B felony.
KansasMisdemeanor or FelonySourceClass B nonperson misdemeanor | Causing child between 14 and 16 to engage with animal) is a severity level 3, person felony.
MissouriMisdemeanor or FelonySourceClass A misdemeanor unless the defendant has previously been convicted under this section, in which case the crime is a class D felony.
NevadaMisdemeanor or FelonySourceGross misdemeanor if the crime does not cause the death of or serious bodily injury to an animal involved | Category D felony if the crime causes the death of or serious bodily injury to an animal involved.
OklahomaMisdemeanor or FelonySourcePunishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) years.
AlabamaMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
AlaskaMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
ArkansasMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
CaliforniaMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor
ColoradoMisdemeanorSourceClass 1 misdemeanor
FloridaMisdemeanorSourceFirst-degree misdemeanor
IowaMisdemeanorSourceAggravated misdemeanor
MaineMisdemeanorSourceClass D crime (misdemeanor)
MarylandMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor | On conviction subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
MinnesotaMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor
NebraskaMisdemeanorSourceClass III misdemeanor
New HampshireMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor for a first offense | Class B felony for a second or subsequent offense.
New YorkMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
North DakotaMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
OhioMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor of the second degree
OregonMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
PennsylvaniaMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor of the second degree
UtahMisdemeanorSourceClass B misdemeanor
VermontMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor
WisconsinMisdemeanorSourceClass A misdemeanor
WyomingMisdemeanorSourceMisdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
New MexicoLegalSenate Bill 215 would make it illegal to engage in bestiality and it would be classified as fourth-degree felony. The bill was passed in March 2023.
West VirginiaLegal
ArizonaFelonySourceClass 6 felony
DelawareFelonySourceClass D felony
GeorgiaFelonySourceFelony: imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.
IdahoFelonySourceFelony with imprisonment in the state prison for a term not to exceed five (5) years.
IllinoisFelonySourceClass 4 felony
IndianaFelonySourceLevel 6 felony
KentuckyFelonySourceClass D Felony
LouisianaFelonySourceFelony | Fine of not more than $2,000, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 5 years, or both | Whoever commits a second or subsequent offense of sexual abuse of an animal, shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $25,000, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 10 years, or both.
MassachusettsFelonySourceFelony | First offense: imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years | Second or subsequent offense: imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years.
MichiganFelonySourceFelony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years.
MississippiFelonySourceFelony | Not listed but punishment is imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not more than 10 years
MontanaFelonySourceFelony | Not listed but a person convicted of the offense of deviate sexual conduct shall be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.
New JerseyFelonySourceFourth degree falony or third degree felony if the animal involved was injured or died.
North CarolinaFelonySourceClass I felony
Rhode IslandFelonySourceFelony with imprisonment not exceeding 20 years nor less than 7 years.
South CarolinaFelonySourceFelony with imprisonment in the Penitentiary for five years or shall pay a fine of not less than $500, or both, at the discretion of the court.
South DakotaFelonySourceClass 6 felony | If the person has been previously convicted of a sex crime any subsequent violation of this section is a Class 5 felony.
TennesseeFelonySourceClass E felony
TexasFelonySourceFelony and a felony of the second degree.
VirginiaFelonySourceClass 6 felony
WashingtonFelonySourceClass C felony
showing: 50 rows

Beastiality Legal States 2023

Sources