<P> Human--animal marriage is a marriage between a (non-human) animal and a human . This topic has appeared in mythology and magical fiction . In the 21st century there have been numerous reports from around the world of humans marrying their pets and other animals . Human--animal marriage is often seen in accordance with zoophilia, however they are not necessarily linked . Although animal - human marriage is not mentioned specifically in national laws, the act of engaging in sexual acts with an animal is illegal in many countries under animal abuse laws . </P> <P> The practice of animal - human marriage has made appearances in several mythological stories and folklore, and is often understood to mean a deity - human marriage involving gods or heroes . The Chinese folktale' The Goddess Of The Silkworm' is an example of a tale where a woman marries a horse . A similar Irish legend tells of a king who marries a horse, symbolizing a divine union between the king and the goddess of the land . Also the indigenous Cheyenne have a story of animal - human marriage in' The Girl who Married a dog' . In addition, there are many Native American stories about people who married animals . In these Native American myths, animal spirits frequently assume human form . They are not seen as literal animals, but representatives from the animal kingdom . </P>

What is it called when you marry an animal