Horse-Lover Gets Probation - Updated

(Maury County, Tennessee) Fifty-eight-year-old James Michael Tait pleaded guilty on Monday to engaging in sex with animals on a Tennessee farm. The conviction means that Tait now holds the distinction of being convicted of bestiality-related offenses committed at locations in two states, King County WA and Maury County TN.

According to Detective Sgt. Terry Chandler, Tait was arrested in October with farm owner Kenny Thomason, 44.

Thomason pleaded guilty to the same charge in Maury County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Chandler said. Thomason was also placed on probation.

"I'm happy this is over," Chandler said. "It has brought a lot of embarrassment and humiliation to the community and the town."

Chandler said that Thomason owns the farm and the animals -- 13 horses, Shetland ponies, goats and dogs. Chandler said that it appears the two men had been having sex with the ponies and dogs as well as well as larger horses.

Chandler believes that the farm was being advertised as some sort of bestiality destination -- just as happened in the Enumclaw case. Chandler said that detectives have recovered several videotapes of men having sex with animals on the farm.

Both Tait and Thomason were sentenced to probation for their bestial proclivities -- mere hand slaps.

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Horse-Lover Re-Offends
[Previous 10/21/09 post]
(Columbia, Tennessee) Readers may recall a report from 2005 where a man died in rural Washington state after engaging in sex with a horse. The public and the authorities were outraged but no significant criminal charges were filed since bestiality was not against the law.

As a token, the companion of the deceased and bestiality videographer, James Tait, was convicted of trespassing on the horse farm. He paid a fine and did community service.

Well, James Michael Tait, 58, is back in the news. This time in Tennessee.

A man who authorities say previously was involved with bestiality pornography has been charged with animal cruelty.

Sheriff's investigators said Tuesday that 58-year-old James Michael Tait was having sex with horses on a Maury County farm. The farm owner, 44-year-old Kenny Thomason, also was charged with animal cruelty.

Investigators said they seized photos in the case.

A detective with the Maury County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Tait and Thomason were also suspected of having sex with dogs. A woman was also arrested for allegedly having sex with animals at the farm, the detective said.

A court appearance has been scheduled for October 26.