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 Arizona, bestiality is a criminal offense outlined under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1411. An individual commits bestiality by knowingly engaging in any form of sexual contact with an animal, as described in the provided topic description. This includes direct physical contact between the person's genitals, anus, or mouth and the animal's genitals or anus; fondling or touching the animal in a sexually inappropriate manner; causing an animal to come into contact with human seminal fluid; inserting any part of the body or an object into the animal's genitals or anus outside of accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices; and other related actions such as possessing or selling animals for the purpose of sexual contact, organizing or observing such acts, or allowing such acts to occur on one's property. Additionally, engaging in bestiality in the presence of a minor or advertising or offering animals for the purpose of sexual contact is also prohibited. In Arizona, bestiality is typically charged as a class 6 felony, which can result in severe penalties including imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. The severity of the charge may be influenced by the specific circumstances of the case.