Legality of bestiality by country or territory

2014-03-02T21:52:28Z

5.67.48.144:

{{multiple issues|
{{Cleanup-bare URLs|date=April 2013}}
{{POV-check|date=July 2011}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2012}}
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{{sex and the law}}
'''Zoophilia and the law''' looks at the laws governing humans performing sex acts on animals. Laws against humans performing sex acts on animals, where they exist, are concerned with the actual act, which it commonly refers to as ''[[bestiality]]'', rather than the sexual attraction to animals. For this reason, prohibitions of zoophilic pornography is more varied; they may be unlawful if an actual sex act with an animal is involved, but the status is not clear cut if there is a mere representation, such as a painting or cartoon. In that case, normal [[obscenity]] laws will normally apply. All [[Animal pornography|zoophilic imagery]] is widely regarded as [[pornography]].
== Objectives ==
Laws on bestiality tend to be shaped by animal welfare concerns, moral views and cultural beliefs. In many cultures across the world having sex with animals is often seen as subhuman, immoral and distasteful.{{cn|date=February 2014}} In many cultures, humans are seen as fundamentally different from other animals and having sex with animals is seen as defilement.<ref name="sciamer">[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=animal-lovers-zoophiles-make-scient-2010-03-24 ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref>

Frequently, the practice of humans having sex with animals is seen as a form of [[animal relief ]] or [[animal ]], a practice sometimes called [[zoosadism]].
== Recent legislation ==
For centuries, sexual acts on animals were illegal under [[sodomy law]]s or "crime against nature" laws. Since the 1950s most sodomy laws have been repealed and in some places specific anti-bestiality laws have been enacted.

As of 2012, bestiality is illegal in 7 U.S. states. Most state bestiality laws were enacted between 1999 and 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animallaw.info/articles/State%20Tables/tbusanimalassault.htm |title=Michigan State University College of Law |publisher=Animallaw.info |date= |accessdate=2013-01-04}}</ref> Laws were enacted in [[Pennsylvania]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1999-06-04/news/25497636_1_bestiality-pennsylvania-lawmakers-sexual-activity |title=Accidentally Decriminalized, Bestiality To Go Back On Books - Philly.com |publisher=Articles.philly.com |date=2009-09-24 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Iowa]] in 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusiast717B_1_717E.htm#s717C_1 |title=Iowa Animal Anti-Cruelty Statute |publisher=Animallaw.info |date=2004-04-09 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Illinois]] in 2002,<ref>http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-11614863.html</ref> [[Maryland]] in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmd10_601_622.htm#s3_322 |title=Maryland Consolidated Cruelty Statutes |publisher=Animallaw.info |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Washington (state)|Washington]] in 2006,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002838346_bestiality02m.html | work=The Seattle Times | first=Jennifer | last=Sullivan | title=Lawmakers vote to make bestiality illegal in this state | date=2 March 2006}}</ref> [[Arizona]] in 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2006/05/24/13598-governor-signs-bill-to-ban-bestiality/ |title=Governor signs bill to ban bestiality - Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009) |publisher=Tucsoncitizen.com |date=2006-05-24 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Indiana]] in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusinst35_46_3_1_13.htm |title=Indiana Consolidated Cruelty Statutes |publisher=Animallaw.info |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Tennessee]] in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/03/21/states-considering-laws-against-bestiality.aspx |title=States considering laws against bestiality - OhMyGov News |publisher=Ohmygov.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> [[Colorado]] in 2007,<ref name="zoocolorado">{{cite news| url=http://www.denverpost.com/legislature/ci_5682180 |title=Bill adds bestiality to animal cruelty law | work=Denver Post | first=Jennifer | last=Brown |date=April 17, 2007 }}</ref> [[Alaska]] in 2010,<ref name="politicsdaily.com">{{cite web|last=Drake |first=Bruce |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/27/bill-to-criminalize-bestiality-advances-in-alaska-legislature/ |title=Bill to Criminalize Bestiality Advances in Alaska Legislature |publisher=Politicsdaily.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> and [[Florida]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/05/05/anti-bestiality-law-finally-passes-in-florida/ |title=Anti-Bestiality Law Finally Passes In Florida « CBS Miami |publisher=Miami.cbslocal.com |date=2011-05-05 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> Laws which prohibit non-abusive bestiality have been criticized for being discriminatory, unjust and unconstitutional.<ref name="interdis">http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cutteridgepaper.pdf</ref><ref name="mroberts">{{cite journal |doi=10.2139/ssrn.1328310 |title=The Unjustified Prohibition against Bestiality: Why the Laws in Opposition Can Find No Support under the Harm Principle |year=2009 |last1=Roberts |first1=Michael |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal}}</ref>

Outside the U.S., bestiality was outlawed in [[Norway]] in 2008,<ref>[http://africanpress.me/2007/11/17/sex-with-animals-to-be-banned-in-norway/ ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> [[The Netherlands]] in 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/forum/23/_/599411 |title=Dutch Parliament OKs Ban on Beastiality – In the News – |publisher=Last.fm |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref> and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] in 2011.<ref>http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_40369/20101209-46298/pdf/db_40369.pdf</ref>

== Background ==

=== International differences ===
Some jurisdictions list laws very clearly, such as [[England and Wales]], which specifically prohibits penetration of a human being by the penis of an animal, and penetration of an animal by a human's penis.<ref>"[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/69]", Sexual Offences Act 2003 Section 69.</ref>

By contrast, many countries and US states are less precise about the scope of law in that they outlaw sex with animals, without defining what constitutes "sex".{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Even if bestiality is not explicitly prohibited, there are often many other laws which can be used to effectively prosecute cases. For example, most countries have animal cruelty laws, and a prosecutor will argue that all zoophilia activity is animal abuse.<ref>The argument that "all sexual activity with animals is automatically abuse" was made for example, in 1) the 2004 case of [http://pet-abuse.com/cases/2206/FL/US/1 State vs. Mitchell] (Florida), 2) the 2004 Pony case in Utrecht, Holland (cited below), and 3) the 2006 Washington state law which asserts as its foundational premise that "animal cruelty in the first degree is committed when a person knowingly engages in sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal." [http://washingtonvotes.org/2006-SB-6417 SB-6417 2006]</ref> In some U.S. states, a person who engages in bestiality can be charged with animal cruelty.<ref name="shelby">http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20110616/NEWS01/106160306/Richland-Co-dog-warden-investigates-bestiality-case-Shelby</ref>

=== Prohibitions without specific bestiality statutes ===
Some countries have a range laws on their books. Sometimes [[sodomy law]]s or "[[crime against nature]]" laws are used to prosecute people who have sex with animals.

In the case of [[Kenneth Pinyan]], who died from injuries sustained from receiving anal sex from a horse, local law enforcement found that there were no laws that allowed them to prosecute his friend, who had filmed the event and also allowed himself to be sodomized by the horse. The friend was prosecuted for trespassing. That case prompted the Washington State legislature to draw up legislation outlawing sex with animals.<ref name="thestranger">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=30811|accessdate=2006-04-30|title=The Animal In You|publisher=The Stranger|date=February–March 2006}}</ref>

In a 2005 [[Florida]] case, a man who had sex with his dog was charged with disorderly conduct, since the state had no anti-bestiality laws on the books at the time.<ref>[http://www.guidehorse.org/news_guide_dog_abuse.htm Man charged with having intercourse with his Guide Dog (dead link)]</ref> On October 1, 2011 the state of Florida State Law 828.126, F.S went into effect, banning sex with animals.<ref>http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/0344/BillText/er/PDF</ref>

== Laws against zoophilia ==
Aggrawal has discussed extensively on laws against zoophilia.<ref name="aggrawal">{{cite book | first=Anil | last=Aggrawal | coauthors= | title=Forensic and Medico-legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and Unusual Sexual Practices | publisher=[[CRC Press]] | location=Boca Raton | year=2009 | isbn=978-1-4200-4308-2 |url=http://crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781420043082}}</ref> It is permitted in a few countries, such as [[Denmark]], although ordinary animal treatment laws apply. In other countries, such as [[Russia]], bestiality is legal, but zoophilia [[pornography]] is illegal.

There are also commonly laws against forcing another person to engage in zoophilia activity, especially minors (usually considered equivalent to [[rape]]), and laws related to exposing others (either non-consensually or minors) to the sight of a sexual act. In some jurisdictions, laws against zoophilia conduct also include provisions for seizure of animals where convicted.

Sexual handling of an animal for the purposes of [[Veterinarian|veterinary]] practice, or [[animal husbandry]] (breeding), is normally exempted where such laws exist. In public discussion for the recently passed Oregon law, however, one animal shelter's spokesperson wanted the husbandry exemption kept out, as he was concerned that someone might use these "accepted farming practices" as a legal loophole to then have (legal) sexual contact with an animal only for personal enjoyment. One of the legislators responded by asking if they were trying to outlaw an act (of sexual contact), or a state of mind. The veterinary and husbandry exemption was left out of Oregon's law in the final, enacted version.

==Zoophilic pornography==
{{main|Animal pornography}}
The legality of pornography has three components: legality of production, legality of sale and transportation, and legality of ownership. In general, animal pornography is legal to produce where both zoophilic activity and the creation of pornography in general are legal. Laws concerning sale, transmission and ownership vary more widely.

Erotic art, such as animal pornography in cartoons and the like, which does not require the recording of an actual sexual act, are not usually considered sex with animals by the law, and so their status depends upon more general laws such as legal limits upon obscenity or pornography alone, and the thin line between erotic art and pornography.

== National laws ==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! style="width:12.5%;"| Country or territory
! style="width:12.5%;"| Zoosexual activity
! style="width:12.5%;"| Sale and distribution of zoophilic pornography
! style="width:12.5%;"| Ownership of zoophilic pornography
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Legality varies by state/territory)<ref name="au_state_laws">Ref: Halsbury's Laws of Australia #9 page 247662:
Criminal offence: [[New South Wales]] (Crimes Act 1900 s79, not more than 14 years imprisonment), [[Northern Territory]] (Criminal Code s138, not more than 3 years imprisonment), [[Queensland]] (Criminal Code s211: "carnal knowledge of an animal", not more than 7 years imprisonment), [[South Australia]] (Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 s69, "buggery with an animal", not more than 10 years imprisonment), [[Tasmania]] (Criminal Code s122(b), not more than 21 years imprisonment), [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] (Crimes Act 1958 s59, not more than 5 years imprisonment), [[Western Australia]] (Criminal Code s181: "carnal knowledge of an animal", not more than 7 years imprisonment), [[Australian Capital Territory]] (Crimes Act 1900 [http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/b/db_40369/20101209-46298/pdf/db_40369.pdf s63A inserted in 2011], "Bestiality", not more than 10 years imprisonment).</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2007 (Penalty: Maximum of 1 year in prison for recidivism, 6 months maximum otherwise + fine)<ref>[http://www.standaard.be/cnt/DMF23012007_118 Kamercommissie stelt seks met dieren dan toch strafbaar-De Standaard]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/english/details/061109_bestiality/index.shtml], no longer accessible</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref>[http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Saude-e-bem-estar/noticia/2011/10/sexo-com-animais-por-que-fingir-que-isso-nao-existe.html Revista Época – Sex with animals: why do pretend that it does not exist? {{pt icon}}]</ref>{{qn|date=November 2013}}<ref name="ecce bestia">[http://issuu.com/eziofb/docs/ezioflaviobazzo Ecce Bestia: Vice with Animals {{pt icon}}]</ref>{{qn|date=November 2013}} since 1830 (via [[Legal status of homosexuality in Brazil | repeal of sodomy laws]])
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal, never criminalized<ref name="ecce bestia"/><ref>[http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0104-83332012000100009&script=sci_arttext Sex with animals as an extreme practice in the 'bizarre porn' genre in Brazil {{pt icon}}]</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal, never criminalized
|-
|{{flagicon|Cambodia}} [[Cambodia]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Backpage/Crime_Court/0,,2-1343-1345_1655555,00.html News24 - Redirect]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 10 years in prison Maximum of 12 years if in presence of or by child)<ref>[http://yourlaws.ca/criminal-code-canada/160-bestiality [[Criminal Code of Canada]] - 160. Bestiality]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Denmark]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal since 1933<ref name="zoocurrent">[http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/2269/zoocurrent.html&date=2009-10-25+16:54:35 Sex law index and discussion]</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Ecuador]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 8 years in prison)<ref>[http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=195753 Ecuador Penal Code - Art. 517]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Ethiopia}} [[Ethiopia]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Imprisonment (no length given)<ref>[http://www.lexadin.nl/wlg/legis/nofr/oeur/arch/eth/TheRevisedCriminalCode.pdf Criminal Code of Ethiopia 2004 - Article 633.- Sexual Intercourse with an Animal.]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal since 1971<ref name="zoocurrent"/>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref name="finlex.fi">[http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1889/18890039001#L17 18 § (9.7.2004/650) Sukupuolisiveellisyyttä loukkaavan kuvan levittäminen]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2004 (Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison and € 30,000 fine)<ref>[French Penal Code - Chapter one: Serious abuse or acts of cruelty animals. - Article 521-1]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2013 (Penalty: Maximum of € 25,000 fine)<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/02/world/europe/german-legislators-vote-to-outlaw-bestiality.html German Legislators Vote to Outlaw Bestiality]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://dejure.org/gesetze/StGB/184a.html § 184a StGB Verbreitung gewalt- oder tierpornographischer Schriften §184a StGB]</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Ghana}} [[Ghana]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 3 years in prison)<ref>[http://ghanalegal.com/?id=3&law=19&t=ghana-laws Section 104-Unnatural Carnal Knowledge]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Hong Kong]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 10 years in prison and $50,000 fine)<ref name="HongKong">[http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/da97f6a8ed400207482564820006b580/1659b5492cc3f751c8256483003225bd?OpenDocument Bestiality]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Hungary]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal since 1961{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} (Penalty:)
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of life in prison)<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=eTrDgPmgh7MC&pg=PA757&lpg=PA757&dq=Ireland+30.61+sodomy+and+bestiality&source=bl&ots=dlcKghaxUc&sig=XoLmu8jnRCzqY4FpoME67qIwXAU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UkRyUfvxIrix4APJlIGADg&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Ireland%2030.61%20sodomy%20and%20bestiality&f=false [30.61] Sodomy and bestiality s. 61]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/1836974/ Section 377. Unnatural offences.]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: First three convictions are punished by ''[[ta'zir]]'' as determined by a judge Fourth offense is the [[death penalty]])<ref>[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/ngo/NGO_submission_ELEI_Add.1.pdf e. Vaty-e heyvanat va Mayet-e-insan (bestiality and necrophilia), four offenses]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref name="History of Zoophilia and The Law" >[http://www.lectlaw.com/files/sex04.htm History of Zoophilia and The Law]</ref>{{Better source|reason=unreliable source; it just says that "Sodomistic intercourse with animals has also been removed from the list of criminal sexual offenses in France, Belgium, Italy, Holland and Russia. Such cases are now dealt with under indecency and animal cruelty regulations and are most unlikely to receive a prison sentence."|date=August 2013}}
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Japan]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 20 years in prison, fines, and whipping)<ref>[http://www.agc.gov.my/Akta/Vol.%2012/Act%20574.pdf Buggery with an animal - 377.]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref name="zoocurrent"/>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Namibia}} [[Namibia]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201210110779.html Namibia: Rehoboth Man Arrested for Bestiality]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2010 (Penalty: Maximum of 1 year in prison and € 19,500 fine)<ref>[http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel254/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 Article 254]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2010 (Penalty: Maximum imprisonment 6 months or a fine of the third category (€ 7,800))<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001854/TweedeBoek/TitelXIV/Artikel254a/geldigheidsdatum_24-12-2012 |title=wetten.nl - Wet- en regelgeving - Wetboek van Strafrecht - BWBR0001854 |language={{nl icon}} |publisher=Wetten.overheid.nl |date=2012-12-24 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2010 (Penalty: Maximum imprisonment 6 months or a fine of the third category (€ 7,800))
|-
|{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 7 years in prison Maximum of 3 years in prison)<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/DLM329260.html Crimes Act 1961 - 143 - Bestiality]</ref><ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/DLM329261.html Crimes Act 1961 - 144 - Indecency with animal]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
|-
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2008 (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.animallaw.info/nonus/articles/arnogovtnotesAWA.htm With regard to § 14. Specific Bans]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2008 (Penalty:)
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Philippines]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref>[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=24b_1316867350 catholic filipino charged for raping dog he also loves pigs too]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2012 (Penalty: Maximum 3 years in prison, donation to animal welfare charity and prohibition of owning an animal for up to 10 years. If done in order to distribute or sell the penalty is increased to a minimum of 6 months and maximum of 8 years in prison)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WDU20112301373 |title=Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych |publisher=Isap.sejm.gov.pl |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: minimum of 6 months and maximum 8 years in prison)<ref>[http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/PDF/Europe/Global_Monitoring_Report-POLAND.pdf Polish Penal Code, Article 202, Section 3. ]</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal (as long as it is not owned with intention of publicizing, sharing or selling)
|-
|{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal<ref name="History of Zoophilia and The Law"/>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Romania]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Z-GbOvrbniQC&pg=PT10&lpg=PT10&dq=Romania+zoophilia&source=bl&ots=gnZi9glK_U&sig=nk93rUHdFgCndX9tSae-W1lyVU4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4rGQUcayD4--4AOGp4HQAQ&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBA Bestiality and Zoophilia: Sexual Relations with Animals]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>"Legea privind prevenirea si combaterea pornografiei", Nr. 196/2003, ''Monitorul Oficial al României'', Partea I,. nr. 342 din 20 mai 2003</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref name="History of Zoophilia and The Law"/>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
|-
|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison and fine)<ref>[http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;query=Status%3Acurinforce%20Type%3Aact,sl%20Content%3A%22Sexual%22%20Content%3A%22penetration%22%20Content%3A%22with%22%20Content%3A%22living%22%20Content%3A%22animal%22;rec=0;resUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fstatutes.agc.gov.sg%2Faol%2Fsearch%2Fsummary%2Fresults.w3p%3Bquery%3DStatus%253Acurinforce%2520Type%253Aact,sl%2520Content%253A%2522Sexual%2522%2520Content%253A%2522penetration%2522%2520Content%253A%2522with%2522%2520Content%253A%2522living%2522%2520Content%253A%2522animal%2522 “Sexual penetration with living animal 377B.]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[South Africa]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: determined by judge)<ref>[http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2007-032.pdf Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007], s. 13.</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: maximum 5 years in prison and R200,000 fine)<ref>[http://www.fpb.org.za/profile-fpb/legislation/doc_download/293-films-and-publications-act-no-65 Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996] s. 24A(2) read with s. 18(3)(b)(ii).</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Was legal since 1944,<ref>[http://www.thelocal.se/37614/20111128/#.UUI-BBetloQ Sweden proposes ban on sex with animals]</ref><ref>[http://www.theargus.ca/articles/news/2011/04/another-blow-for-bestiality Another blow for bestiality]</ref><ref>http://zoofili.se/zoodoks/rydstrom/rydstrom%20between%20men%20and%20animals.pdf</ref> outlawed since 1 January 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/48484/20130613/ |title=Sweden proposes 'total' ban on bestiality - The Local |publisher=Thelocal.se |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref>
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/455_1/a16.html SR 455.1 Tierschutzverordnung Art. 16 j.]</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>See [[Official publications of Switzerland|FJ]] 2000 p. 2981.</ref>
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)
|-
|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]
||[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Legal<ref>[http://www.traveltails.com/Updates/update_may2004.htm May 2004 Update from the Land of Randy Pandas]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-04-25/mayaro-labourer-bestiality-charge Mayaro labourer on bestiality charge]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkey]]
||[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 30 years in prison){{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
||[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
||[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}
|-
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 1290 (Penalty: Maximum of 2 years in prison for conviction on indictment Maximum of 6 months in prison and a fine for summary conviction)<ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/69 Intercourse with an animal]</ref> (see [[Sexual Offences Act 2003]])
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2008 (Penalty:)<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/16/extreme_pr0n_convictions/ Extreme porn law used on beastly Chinese DVD pirates]</ref> (see [[Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008]])
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal since 2008 (Penalty:) (see [[Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008]])
|-
|{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]] {{Main|Zoophilia and the law in the United States}}
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] / [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Varies by state, territory, or district.
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] / [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Varies by state, territory, or district.
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] / [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Varies by state, territory, or district.
|-
|{{flagicon|Zambia}} [[Zambia]]
||[[Image:X mark.svg|15px|No]] Illegal (Penalty: Maximum of 5 years in prison)<ref>[http://www.afrol.com/archive/documents/ilga_2000.htm Zambian Penal code Cap 87 Section 115; Unnatural Offences]</ref>
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
||[[File:Emblem-question.svg|15px]]
|}

== History ==
{{Main|History of zoophilia}}

== Mentions in the press ==

* ''"Freddie the Dolphin"'' (1991, UK) - man accused of masturbating a well known tame [[dolphin]] at sea. Charged with a "lewd act". Acquitted. Expert witnesses testified male dolphins use their [[erection]]s not just sexually, but socially as well, and no sexual inference could be drawn. Judge summing up said of the £30,000 trial cost, "this has been the most expensive lesson in dolphin sociology that he has ever heard of". <ref>[http://www.praxagora.com/sierra/flum/9203.htm ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> (dead link)
* [[Kenneth Pinyan]] (2005, USA) - man died following anal penetration by a stallion, which was filmed by his friend. The death led to rapid introduction of laws in the state against sex with animals.
* [[Sudan]] (February 2006) - man caught having sex with a neighbour's [[goat]], is ordered by the council of [[Elder (administrative title)|elders]] to pay the neighbour a [[dowry]] of 15,000 Sudanese dinars ($50) and marry the animal. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4748292.stm |title=Africa | Sudan man forced to 'marry' goat |publisher=BBC News |date=2006-02-24 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref>
* [[Cambodia]] (2005) - man caught having a "passionate embrace" in bed with dog, by wife, confessed he loved the dog more and they separated. Cambodian police commented: "As police, we could only solve the problem of his wife then wanting a divorce. We cannot solve the problem of his relationship with his dog, because under Cambodian law it is not strictly illegal... It is amazing, but this husband is not crazy. It seems he is a passionate human being who looked at a dog, and the more he looked, the more passionate he became."<ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Off_Beat/0,,2-1225-2107_1655555,00.html ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref>
* [[Wisconsin, USA]] (2007) - Bryan James Hathaway was convicted for having sex with a dead deer. The court case raised some interesting legal issues because the statute prohibits sex with animals, but not carcasses. The defence raised the issue that if a dead animal was an animal, at what point would it cease to be an animal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haines|first=Lester|title=Sex with dead deer is illegal, US man finds|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/22/deer_man_convicted/|newspaper=The Register|date=22 March 2007}}</ref>
* [[Kansas|Kansas, USA]] (2012) - Joshua Coman was convicted in Kansas of criminal sodomy (a misdemeanor), but the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that he did not have to register as a sex offender.<ref name="kansaslaw2">{{cite web|last=Rabiner |first=Stephanie |url=http://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2012/04/dog-molester-wont-have-to-register-as-sex-offender.html |title=Dog Molester Won't Have to Register as Sex Offender - Legally Weird |publisher=Blogs.findlaw.com |date=2012-04-06 |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref><ref name="statecoman">{{cite web|url=http://www.kscourts.org/cases-and-opinions/opinions/ctapp/2009/20090828/100494.htm |title=100494 - State v. Coman - Greene - Kansas Court of Appeals |publisher=Kscourts.org |date= |accessdate=2013-10-13}}</ref>
* [[Vancouver, Canada]] (2012) - Brian Cutteridge, bestiality proponent, was arrested after the SPCA claims to have a video of him engaging in sex with one of his dogs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/02/26/bc-vancouver-bestiality.html | work=CBC News | title=Vancouver man faces bestiality charge | date=26 February 2012}}</ref>
* [[Phoenix, Arizona|Arizona, USA]] (2012) - Sarah Dae Walker and her husband pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bestiality in a case where Craigslist was used.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.kpho.com/story/18895998/pair-plead-guilty-in-craigslist-bestiality-case | work=CBS 5 | title=Pair plead guilty in Craigslist bestiality case | date=28 June 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Animal trial]]
* [[Human–animal marriage]]
* [[Legal status of internet pornography]]
* [[Sexual norm]]
* [[Social norm]]
* [[Sodomy law]]
* [[Sudanese goat marriage incident]]
* [[Zoophilia]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Zoosexuality}}
{{Sexual ethics}}
{{law country lists}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2012}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoosexuality And The Law}}
[[Category:Animal rights]]
[[Category:Sex laws]]
[[Category:Zoophilia]]

Zoophilia Wiki - User contributions [en]

Legality of bestiality by country or territory