Sexual Activities Involving Animals
Knowingly engaging in sexual contact with an animal or committing another prohibited act described by the statute.
Florida Statute
§ 828.126
Sexual activities involving animals
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 14, 2026
Quick Summary
The statute has several conduct tracks graded as second- or third-degree felonies. Confirm the precise act, knowing state of mind, and applicable animal-husbandry or veterinary exception before selecting the charge.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Sexual Activities Involving Animals
F.S. § 828.126
Knowingly committing one of the prohibited conduct tracks in the statute.
Sexual Contact With an Animal
F.S. § 828.126(2)
Knowingly engaging in sexual contact with an animal.
Causing, Aiding, or Abetting Sexual Contact
F.S. § 828.126(3)
Knowingly causing, aiding, or abetting another person to engage in sexual contact with an animal.
Permitting Sexual Contact on Controlled Premises
F.S. § 828.126(4)
Knowingly permitting sexual contact with an animal on premises under the person's charge or control.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
The defendant knowingly committed an act prohibited by F.S. § 828.126.
Plain language: The defendant knowingly engaged in one of the statute's prohibited animal-sexual-activity tracks.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 32.4
Sexual Activity With an Animal
Covers the applicable conduct alternatives and exceptions under F.S. § 828.126. Prior to April 2026, this instruction was numbered 29.13(c).
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 14, 2026
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
The 2026 statute grades direct sexual contact and knowingly causing, aiding, or abetting another person's sexual contact as second-degree felonies. Premises, promotion, observation, service, pornography, and minor-presence tracks are third-degree felonies. Review the statutory animal-husbandry and veterinary exceptions before charging.