Overview
The Enumclaw horse sex case involved the 2005 death of Kenneth Pinyan from injuries sustained during sexual activity with a horse, leading to new laws criminalizing bestiality and related acts in Washington State.
Incident Details
- Kenneth Pinyan, a Boeing engineer, and James Michael Tait filmed zoophilic pornography involving Pinyan and a stallion.
- Pinyan sustained fatal internal injuries on July 2, 2005, during an encounter at a farm near Enumclaw, Washington.
- The death was determined to be accidental, caused by acute peritonitis from a perforated colon.
Background and Legal Context
- Bestiality was legal in Washington after sodomy laws were repealed in the 1970s.
- The group involved posted videos of their activities online and trained horses for penetration using pheromones and cues.
Investigation and Charges
- Authorities used Pinyan's identity to find the farm and seized hundreds of hours of video evidence.
- No animal cruelty charges were filed since no horses were found to be harmed.
- James Michael Tait, the videographer, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal trespass and received a suspended sentence, fine, and community service.
Media, Public, and Cultural Impact
- The case was widely reported and became one of the most read stories of 2005 in The Seattle Times.
- A video from the group, "2 Guys 1 Horse" or "Mr. Hands," circulated online and became an infamous viral shock video.
- The 2007 documentary "Zoo" explored the incident and its implications, premiering at Sundance and also shown at Cannes.
Legislative Changes
- Following the incident, Washington State Senate passed a bill in February 2006 making bestiality and its filming Class C felonies.
- The new law specifically targeted both the act and the creation of zoophilic pornography.
Subsequent Events
- After the case, James Michael Tait was charged and pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in Tennessee following similar activities.
- The Enumclaw community remained reluctant to discuss the event years later.
Decisions
- Passed law criminalizing bestiality and its filming in Washington State.
- Sentenced James Michael Tait for trespassing (suspended sentence, fine, community service).
Action Items
- TBD – Law enforcement: Ongoing enforcement of Washington's revised bestiality law post-incident.
Key Dates / Deadlines
- July 2, 2005: Kenneth Pinyan's death.
- February 11, 2006: Washington State Senate passed anti-bestiality bill.
- January 2010: Tait pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in Tennessee.