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 the state of Mississippi (MS), bestiality is considered a criminal offense under Mississippi Code Section 97-29-59. The law explicitly prohibits any person from willfully and unlawfully committing any unnatural and lascivious act with another, which includes sexual acts with animals. The statute does not detail the specific acts constituting bestiality as some other states might, but it is understood that any sexual contact between a human and an animal would fall under this prohibition. Violation of this law is a felony, and upon conviction, an individual can face imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a term not exceeding ten years. Additionally, the presence of a minor during the commission of such an act could lead to enhanced penalties or additional charges related to corrupting the morals of a minor. It is important for individuals in Mississippi to understand that engaging in any form of sexual activity with an animal is illegal and subject to severe legal consequences.