Beast

A Beast is one of the three classifications used by the International Confederation of Wizards to catalogue the various magical creatures that inhabit the wizarding world (the others being Spirit and Being).

Description
Loosely defined, a Beast is a magical creature that does not have sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community nor bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws. The current definition was laid down by British Minister for Magic Grogan Stump in 1811 and adopted for the wizarding world at large by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1812.

However, there are exceptions. Centaurs, Satyrs and Merpeople requested to be classified as Beasts, refusing "Being" status because they objected to some of the other creatures they would have to share "Being" status with, such as Hags and Vampires. With this in mind, information on them notes that they are to be treated with great respect.

Acromantulas, Cyclopses, Manticores, Minotaurs, Sphinxes and Erklings would have all qualified for Being status since they were capable of intelligent speech. Unfortunately, since they are vicious and bloodthirsty, often finding any excuse to ravage or devour others, they had to be classified as Beasts. Additionally, werewolves are only classified as Beasts in their transformed state. When there is no full moon they retain their Being status like any other human. However, they are still also classified as sentient by the International Confederation of Wizards.