Objections have been raised by conservative politicians who believe the bill - uncontroversial on the surface - is part of a broader attempt to further undermine Louisiana’s unenforceable anti-sodomy laws.

The state’s historic law against “unnatural” sex was invalidated by the Supreme Court of the United States in 2003.

A number of senior Republicans now believe that the bid to expand state laws on bestiality are an attempt to untangle bestiality from the anti-sodomy law, paving the way for its easy repeal.

However, Senators backing the legislation have described that as a “conspiracy theory” and said that the bill is necessary to account for modern technology and the sale of animals for sex online.

Senator J.P. Morrell told opponents on the Senate floor: “God forbid you vote against this bill — good luck explaining it.”