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 Ohio, bestiality is prohibited under Ohio Revised Code Section 959.21, which makes it illegal for a person to engage in sexual conduct with an animal. Ohio law defines sexual conduct with an animal to include acts where a person knowingly engages in sexual contact with an animal or involves an animal in a sexual act with a person. This includes any contact between the person's mouth, anus, or genitals and the animal's mouth, anus, or genitals, as well as other specified acts that are not accepted animal husbandry or veterinary practices. The law also criminalizes the possession, sale, or purchase of animals for the purpose of sexual contact, as well as organizing or participating in such conduct. Violation of these laws is considered a misdemeanor of the second degree. If the offense is committed in the presence of a minor or if the offender has a previous conviction for a sexually oriented offense, the charge may be elevated to a fifth-degree felony. Additionally, Ohio law requires that anyone convicted of bestiality must register as a Tier I sex offender.
