Crime of bestiality.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Law Against Bestiality

This law makes bestiality a crime and sets penalties for those who engage in it.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new crime called 'bestiality' which involves sexual acts between people and animals.
• Defines what counts as a sexual act with an animal, including touching or using objects to sexually stimulate an animal.
• Sets the punishment for bestiality as up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
• Does not apply to normal practices like breeding animals or medical care for animals.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who commit acts of bestiality will be punished under this law.

Terms To Know

Bestiality

Sexual activity between a person and an animal.

Misdemeanor

A crime that is less serious than a felony, often punishable by fines or short jail time.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not apply to normal practices in farming, breeding animals, or veterinary care.
• It only applies after July 1, 2021, when it becomes effective.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 21LSO-0096
Bill No.:

HB0046

Effective:

7/1/2021 12:00:00 AM

LSO No.:

21LSO-0096

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0023

Chapter No.:

39

Prime Sponsor:

Stith

Catch Title:

Crime of bestiality.

Subject:

Crime of bestiality.

Summary/Major Elements:

Creates the crime of bestiality in Wyoming.

Specifies the elements of the crime of bestiality and provides that a person convicted of the crime is subject to a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

Provides that the crime of bestiality does not prohibit normal,
ordinary
or accepted practices involved in animal husbandry, artificial insemination or veterinary medicine.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

21LSO-0096

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0046

ENROLLED ACT NO. 23,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2021 General Session

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; creating the crime of bestiality; prohibiting bestiality as specified; providing definitions; providing a penalty; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 6
‑
4
‑
601 is created to read:

ARTICLE 6
BESTIALITY

6
‑
4
‑
601.

Bestiality; penalty.

(a)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Actor" means the person accused of bestiality;

(ii)

"Sexual act with an animal" means any act, between a person and an animal involving direct physical contact between the genitals of one and the mouth, anus

or genitals of the other. A sexual act with an animal may be proved without evidence of penetration.

(b)

An actor commits the crime of bestiality if the actor knowingly:

(i)

E
ngages in a sexual act with an animal;

(ii)

Causes, aids or abets another in engaging in a sexual act with an animal;

(iii)

Uses any part of the actor's body or an object to sexually stimulate an animal; or

(iv)

For the purpose of sexual gratification, the actor visually records a person engaging in a sexual act with an animal.

(c)

Bestiality is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(d)

This section shall not apply to or prohibit normal, ordinary or accepted practices involved in animal husbandry, artificial insemination or veterinary medicine.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2021
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1