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 Florida, bestiality is a criminal offense under Florida Statute 828.126, known as the 'Sexual Activities Involving Animals' law. This statute makes it illegal for a person to knowingly engage in any sexual activity with an animal, or to promote, aid, or abet such activity. The law defines sexual activity with an animal to include any act between a person and an animal involving the mouth, anus, or genitals. It also prohibits causing, allowing, or permitting an animal to be used in a sexual act, as well as the possession of animals for the purpose of sexual activity. Violation of this law is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, which can result in penalties including up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If the offense is committed in the presence of a minor, the crime can be elevated to a third-degree felony, potentially leading to more severe penalties such as up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.