Is it permissible to look at animals with lust if the intention is to stay away from the forbidden and obscenity, provided that no forbidden acts such as masturbation are committed, especially if the beholder is unmarried?

Looking at animals with lust is forbidden. Lustful gazing is only permissible towards one's wife or bondswoman. Any permissible gaze at others becomes forbidden if accompanied by lustful intent. Al-Mayyabi said, "And everything one is permitted to look at, becomes forbidden with the intent of pleasure." Forbidden gazing is not a means to chastity; rather, it is a means to incite lust and fall into indecencies.