It depends on what is meant by consent. There are different meanings, many of which are problematic in various ways and which may not always be applicable. There are philosophers that argue that there can be meaningful consent from animals. There are also ethicists focussed on animal rights who also don't find a problem with bestiality.
Regardless of specific definitions, what I find most troubling is the inconsistency. For nearly every person that says that sex with animals is problematic because they cannot consent doesn't seem to have a problem with non-emergency surgery, ownership, artificial insemination, breeding programmes and killing animals for food. All of which are also done without the animal's consent according to them.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~
It depends on what is meant by consent. There are different meanings, many of which are problematic in various ways and which may not always be applicable. There are philosophers that argue that there can be meaningful consent from animals. There are also ethicists focussed on animal rights who also don't find a problem with bestiality.
Regardless of specific definitions, what I find most troubling is the inconsistency. For nearly every person that says that sex with animals is problematic because they cannot consent doesn't seem to have a problem with non-emergency surgery, ownership, artificial insemination, breeding programmes and killing animals for food. All of which are also done without the animal's consent according to them.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~