Enumclaw Horse Sex Case

Overview

• Date: July 2, 2005
• Location: Unincorporated area in King County, Washington, near Enumclaw
• Type: Bestiality
• Outcome: Led to the criminalization of bestiality and zoophilic pornography in Washington state.
• Deaths: Kenneth Pinyan
• Convicted: James Michael Tait, for trespassing

Key Individuals

• Kenneth Pinyan (Mr. Hands): Boeing engineer, engaged in filmed zoophilic acts
• James Michael Tait: Truck driver, involved in filming and participating in the acts
• A Stallion: Animal involved in the incident

Incident Details

• Pinyan and Tait were part of a group that filmed zoophilic pornography.
• Pinyan died from acute peritonitis due to a perforated colon following an encounter with a stallion.
• The incident was a major news story in The Seattle Times in 2005.

Legal and Legislative Outcome

• Prompted the enactment of a law prohibiting zoophilia and its documentation in Washington.
• As a result, bestiality became a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
• Tait, unable to be charged with cruelty due to lack of evidence of animal injury, was instead convicted of trespassing.

Background

• Pre-1976, many U.S. states had laws criminalizing specific sex acts, but these laws were repealed around 1970s.
• Previous laws in Washington criminalized bestiality, but the repeal left such acts legal until Pinyan's case.
• Pinyan had explored extreme sexual acts due to sensation loss from a motorcycle accident.

Investigation

• Authorities used a driver's license to locate Pinyan's associates and the farm.
• Over 100 VHS tapes and DVDs of bestial acts were seized.
• Due to no evidence of animal abuse, Tait was charged only with trespassing.

Media Coverage

• The case was unexpected to be covered due to its nature but gained attention after an Associated Press report.

State of Washington v. James Michael Tait

• Tait pleaded guilty via an Alford plea, receiving a suspended one-year sentence and a fine.
• Tait was prohibited from returning to the farm.

Aftermath and Influence

• The incident shocked Enumclaw residents, with long-term reluctance to acknowledge the event.
• The case inspired the documentary "Zoo," which debuted in 2007, exploring the events and its broader implications.

Subsequent Events

• Tait later faced charges for similar offenses in Tennessee, where he pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual acts with animals.

Legislation

• Washington Senate Bill 6417 made bestiality a punishable felony.
• The law was broadly supported because there was little political backing for bestiality.

Cultural Impact

• The video "Mr. Hands" became a viral shock video and was featured in the documentary "Zoo."

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See Also:

• List of horse accidents
• List of unusual deaths in the 21st century
• Catherine the Great horse sex myth