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 Tennessee, bestiality is considered a criminal offense under the state's animal cruelty statutes. Specifically, Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-214 defines bestiality as unlawful and a person commits the offense of bestiality when the person engages in any sexual activity with an animal. This includes, but is not limited to, the acts described in the provided topic description, such as contact between a person's genitals and an animal's genitals or anus, and other forms of sexual contact or penetration involving animals. The law also covers the possession, sale, transfer, or purchase of animals with the intent for them to be used for sexual purposes, as well as organizing or promoting such activities. In Tennessee, bestiality is classified as a Class E felony, which can result in a range of penalties including imprisonment, fines, and potentially being required to register as a sex offender. The severity of the punishment may vary based on the specific circumstances of the case.