Bestiality—also known as zoophilia or sexual abuse of animals—is the criminal offense of a person making sexual contact with a non-human animal. Bestiality laws vary from state to state, but a person generally commits the crime of bestiality if the person knowingly:

• engages in an act involving contact between the person’s mouth, anus, or genitals and the anus or genitals of an animal;
• engages in an act involving contact between the person’s mouth, anus, or genitals and the mouth of the animal;
• fondles or touches the anus or genitals of an animal in a manner that is not a generally accepted and otherwise lawful animal husbandry or veterinary practice, including touching through clothing;
• causes an animal to contact the seminal fluid of the person;
• inserts any part of a person’s body or any object into the anus or genitals of an animal in a manner that is not a generally accepted and otherwise lawful animal husbandry or veterinary practice;
• possesses, sells, transfers, purchases, or otherwise obtains an animal with the intent to be used for such sexual contact;
• organizes, promotes, conducts, or participates as an observer of such sexual contact;
• causes a person to engage or aids a person in engaging in such sexual contact;
• permits such sexual conduct to occur on property under the person’s ownership or control;
• engages in such sexual contact in the presence of a child under the age of 18; or
• advertises, offers, or accepts the offer of an animal with the intent that the animal be used for such sexual contact.

The criminal offense of bestiality may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the state and the circumstances. Bestiality laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In California, bestiality is illegal and considered a form of animal abuse. Under California Penal Code Section 286.5, any person who sexually assaults any animal for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the person is guilty of a misdemeanor. This includes any contact between a person’s mouth, anus, or genitals with the anus or genitals of an animal, and other acts as described in the topic. The law also prohibits causing an animal to contact the seminal fluid of a person, inserting any part of a person’s body or any object into the anus or genitals of an animal in a non-veterinary or non-animal husbandry context, and possessing or transferring an animal with the intent of using it for sexual contact. Additionally, organizing or observing such conduct, permitting it on one's property, engaging in it in the presence of a minor, or advertising or offering an animal for such purposes are also prohibited. Violations of these laws can result in criminal charges, with penalties that may include fines and imprisonment.