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 New Hampshire, bestiality is considered a criminal offense under NH Rev Stat § 644:8-g (2016). The law prohibits engaging in sexual contact with animals and outlines various acts that constitute the offense, including but not limited to contact between a person's mouth, anus, or genitals and those of an animal, fondling an animal's genitals in an unlawful manner, and causing an animal to come into contact with human seminal fluid. The statute also addresses the possession, sale, or purchase of animals for the purpose of sexual contact, as well as organizing or observing such conduct. Violations of this law can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the offense and the presence of aggravating factors, such as committing the act in the presence of a minor. The law aims to protect animals from abuse and ensure that those who commit such acts are held accountable under the state's criminal justice system.