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 Texas, bestiality is a criminal offense under Section 21.09 of the Texas Penal Code. The law explicitly prohibits engaging in sexual contact with an animal, which includes any contact between a person's genitals, anus, or mouth with the genitals or anus of an animal, and vice versa. It also criminalizes causing an animal to contact a person's seminal fluid, inserting any part of a person's body or an object into an animal's genitals or anus, and other acts involving sexual conduct with animals that are not recognized as legitimate veterinary or animal husbandry practices. Additionally, the law forbids possessing, selling, or purchasing animals for the purpose of sexual contact, as well as organizing or participating in such activities. Violation of these laws can result in criminal charges, which may be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the offense and other factors. Engaging in bestiality in the presence of a minor or involving a minor in such acts is particularly egregious and can lead to more severe penalties.
