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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.
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.
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.
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.
State | Penalty | Penalty Details |
---|---|---|
Connecticut | Misdemeanor or Felony | Class A misdemeanor or class D felony
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Hawaii | Misdemeanor or Felony | Misdemeanor for the first offense | Class C felony for the second or subsequent offense | Committed ... |
Kansas | Misdemeanor or Felony | Class B nonperson misdemeanor | Causing child between 14 and 16 to engage with animal) is a severity... |
Missouri | Misdemeanor or Felony | Class A misdemeanor unless the defendant has previously been convicted under this section, in which ... |
Nevada | Misdemeanor or Felony | Gross misdemeanor if the crime does not cause the death of or serious bodily injury to an animal inv... |
Oklahoma | Misdemeanor or Felony | Punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) ye... |
Alabama | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Alaska | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Arkansas | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
California | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor |
Colorado | Misdemeanor | Class 1 misdemeanor |
Florida | Misdemeanor | First-degree misdemeanor |
Iowa | Misdemeanor | Aggravated misdemeanor |
Maine | Misdemeanor | Class D crime (misdemeanor) |
Maryland | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor | On conviction subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $... |
Minnesota | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor |
Nebraska | Misdemeanor | Class III misdemeanor |
New Hampshire | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor for a first offense | Class B felony for a second or subsequent offense. |
New York | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
North Dakota | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Ohio | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor of the second degree |
Oregon | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Pennsylvania | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor of the second degree |
Utah | Misdemeanor | Class B misdemeanor |
Vermont | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor |
Wisconsin | Misdemeanor | Class A misdemeanor |
Wyoming | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one t... |
New Mexico | Legal | Senate Bill 215 would make it illegal to engage in bestiality and it would be classified as fourth-d... |
West Virginia | Legal | |
Arizona | Felony | Class 6 felony |
Delaware | Felony | Class D felony |
Georgia | Felony | Felony: imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years. |
Idaho | Felony | Felony with imprisonment in the state prison for a term not to exceed five (5) years. |
Illinois | Felony | Class 4 felony |
Indiana | Felony | Level 6 felony |
Kentucky | Felony | Class D Felony |
Louisiana | Felony | Felony | Fine of not more than $2,000, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 5 y... |
Massachusetts | Felony | Felony | First offense: imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 7 years | Second or subse... |
Michigan | Felony | Felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years. |
Mississippi | Felony | Felony | Not listed but punishment is imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of not more than 1... |
Montana | Felony | Felony | Not listed but a person convicted of the offense of deviate sexual conduct shall be impriso... |
New Jersey | Felony | Fourth degree falony or third degree felony if the animal involved was injured or died. |
North Carolina | Felony | Class I felony |
Rhode Island | Felony | Felony with imprisonment not exceeding 20 years nor less than 7 years. |
South Carolina | Felony | Felony with imprisonment in the Penitentiary for five years or shall pay a fine of not less than $50... |
South Dakota | Felony | Class 6 felony | If the person has been previously convicted of a sex crime any subsequent violation... |
Tennessee | Felony | Class E felony |
Texas | Felony | Felony and a felony of the second degree. |
Virginia | Felony | Class 6 felony |
Washington | Felony | Class C felony |
Bestiality is legal in New Mexico and West Virginia.