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 Minnesota, bestiality is considered a criminal offense under Minnesota Statutes section 609.294. According to this statute, a person who engages in any sexual act with an animal, or any act that involves contact between a person's mouth, anus, or genitals and the mouth or genitals of an animal, is guilty of bestiality. The law also criminalizes causing an animal to come into contact with a person's seminal fluid, inserting any part of the body or an object into an animal's anus or genitals in a non-veterinary or non-husbandry context, and other related acts such as possessing or selling animals for the purpose of sexual contact, organizing or promoting such activities, or permitting them on one's property. Additionally, engaging in such acts in the presence of a minor or advertising animals for sexual purposes is also prohibited. In Minnesota, bestiality is typically charged as a misdemeanor, but certain aggravating factors can elevate the charge to a felony. It's important for individuals to be aware that these laws are in place to protect animals from abuse and to maintain public morality.