Sandoval Senator Pushes Bestiality Ban Through Senate

“We want to join the other 48 states and outlaw this crime against animals””

State Sen. Brenda McKenna, D-Corrales

The Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill Monday that would outlaw sexual contact between a person and an animal.

Senate Bill 215, which would create the crimes of bestiality and aggravated bestiality, passed without any debate on the floor.

Currently, New Mexico is one of only two states that doesn’t outlaw bestiality. The other is West Virginia.

“We want to join the other 48 states and outlaw this crime against animals,” said Sen. Brenda McKenna, D-Corrales, who is sponsoring the bill with Sen. Mark Moore, R-Albuquerque.

The House still needs to vote on the bill before reaching the governor's desk. The 2023 legislative session ends March 18.