A zoosexual is a value-neutral reference to a person who experiences a strong romantic or sexual attraction to non-human animals. It is distinguished from bestiality, which is the act of having sex with an animal. The term was coined in 2002 by Hani Miletski. It can be used interchangeably with a zoophile.
There are different laws that may affect a zoosexual. These laws are specific to zoophilic practices, making them distinguishable from animal cruelty laws. For instance, in the UK, there is a ban on images that depict sexual acts between a human and an animal. Mere ownership of such images can incur criminal sanctions. In the USA, on the other hand, only 37 states have anti-bestiality laws. The gravity of these laws differs with critics questioning sanctions against non-abusive bestiality. Anti-non-abusive bestiality laws are said to discriminate against zoosexuals.
