Bestiality Law in the United States: Evolving Legislation with Scientific Limitations
Simple Summary:
Laws punishing individuals who have sex with nonhuman animals have existed
since the earliest written legal codes. In the United States, bestiality has long been prohibited.
The rationale for criminalizing sex acts with animals has changed over time and has included moral
condemnation, considerations of animal rights and animal welfare, and most recently, a concern
about the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, colloquially known as the
Link. This article reviews the history and current state of bestiality law in the United States. It notes
important differences in language, specificity, and potential punishments for offenders depending on
the jurisdiction. It also reviews the research basis of the Link between bestiality and interpersonal
violence and some risks associated with a reliance on the Link to promote legislative reform.
