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Misdemeanor
21
Felony
21
Misdemeanor or Felony
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Beastiality Legal States 2024

Beastiality Legal States 2024

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 2024

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

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State
Penalty
Law Link
Penalty Details
ConnecticutMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Class A misdemeanor or class D felony
HawaiiMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Misdemeanor for the first offense | Class C felony for the second or subsequent offense | Committed ...
KansasMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Class B nonperson misdemeanor | Causing child between 14 and 16 to engage with animal) is a severity...
MissouriMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Class A misdemeanor unless the defendant has previously been convicted under this section, in which ...
NevadaMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Gross misdemeanor if the crime does not cause the death of or serious bodily injury to an animal inv...
OklahomaMisdemeanor or FelonySource
Punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) ye...
AlabamaMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
AlaskaMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
ArkansasMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
CaliforniaMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor
ColoradoMisdemeanorSource
Class 1 misdemeanor
FloridaMisdemeanorSource
First-degree misdemeanor
IowaMisdemeanorSource
Aggravated misdemeanor
MaineMisdemeanorSource
Class D crime (misdemeanor)
MarylandMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor | On conviction subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $...
MinnesotaMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor
NebraskaMisdemeanorSource
Class III misdemeanor
New HampshireMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor for a first offense | Class B felony for a second or subsequent offense.
New YorkMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
North DakotaMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
OhioMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor of the second degree
OregonMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
PennsylvaniaMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor of the second degree
UtahMisdemeanorSource
Class B misdemeanor
VermontMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor
WisconsinMisdemeanorSource
Class A misdemeanor
WyomingMisdemeanorSource
Misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one t...
New MexicoLegal
Senate Bill 215 would make it illegal to engage in bestiality and it would be classified as fourth-d...
West VirginiaLegal
ArizonaFelonySource
Class 6 felony
DelawareFelonySource
Class D felony
GeorgiaFelonySource
Felony: imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.
IdahoFelonySource
Felony with imprisonment in the state prison for a term not to exceed five (5) years.
IllinoisFelonySource
Class 4 felony
IndianaFelonySource
Level 6 felony
KentuckyFelonySource
Class D Felony
LouisianaFelonySource
Felony | Fine of not more than $2,000, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 5 y...
MassachusettsFelonySource
Felony | First offense: imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years | Second or subse...
MichiganFelonySource
Felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years.
MississippiFelonySource
Felony | Not listed but punishment is imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not more than 1...
MontanaFelonySource
Felony | Not listed but a person convicted of the offense of deviate sexual conduct shall be impriso...
New JerseyFelonySource
Fourth degree falony or third degree felony if the animal involved was injured or died.
North CarolinaFelonySource
Class I felony
Rhode IslandFelonySource
Felony with imprisonment not exceeding 20 years nor less than 7 years.
South CarolinaFelonySource
Felony with imprisonment in the Penitentiary for five years or shall pay a fine of not less than $50...
South DakotaFelonySource
Class 6 felony | If the person has been previously convicted of a sex crime any subsequent violation...
TennesseeFelonySource
Class E felony
TexasFelonySource
Felony and a felony of the second degree.
VirginiaFelonySource
Class 6 felony
WashingtonFelonySource
Class C felony
showing: 50 rows

Beastiality Legal States 2024

Sources