Bestiality

If you have been charged with a bestiality offence working with a lawyer that has experience defending these cases in court is a must.

When charged with a bestiality offence, acting fast can help ensure the most positive outcome for your case.

If you need assistance with a bestiality offence or any other criminal matter contact our dedicated and tireless criminal law experts today

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What is Bestiality?

Bestiality, also mistakenly referred to as ‘beastiality’ is a term that refers to performing a sexual act with an animal. It covers both oral sex and sexual intercourse with an animal and is an offence that is relatively rare compared to other types.

Is Bestiality Legal?

No bestiality is not legal. In fact, under Section 69 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, sexual intercourse with live animals is a punishable offence.

Specifically, under this Act a bestiality offence is deemed to have taken place if:

A person intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of a living animal, and that person knows that (or does not care) this is what is being penetrated.
Similarly, a bestiality offence is also deemed to have taken place if a person intentionally allows their own anus or vagina to be penetrated by the penis of a living animal, and that person knows that (or does not care) this is what is being penetrated.

However, oral sex or sex with a dead animal is not covered under Section 69 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

Bestiality Laws And Pornography In England And Wales

In addition to offences related to having sex with a live animal, the law in England and Wales states that watching, possessing, or distributing pornography of bestiality is also against the law.

Watching pornography of bestiality is deemed to be illegal if it breaks the law on extreme pornography as set out by England and Wales. It is covered by Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which bans pornographic images and videos that depict a human having intercourse, or oral sex with a live or dead animal.

Whether an image or video is deemed to be pornographic is decided by the judge or jury, and not an expert in these cases. It will also depend on whether the accused was aroused, what their intention was, and whether the image was realistic and explicit.

Distributing or owing videos of bestiality is also a crime under the Obscene Publications Act 1959. The act is concerned with prohibiting the use of obscene content, and bestiality frequently falls under this definition.

Defences Of Bestiality Charges

If you have been charged with a bestiality offence under the 2003 Act there are some defences that your legal team may be able to use. These include arguing that no penetration occurred, that there was no consent to the penetration, or that the animal was dead.

Other defences may include intoxication, mistake, duress, automatism, or insanity.

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Need rapid advice, or urgent representation concerning Bestiality allegations?

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