Brit arrested at 'bestiality farm'
A British tourist has been charged with animal cruelty after he was arrested in a raid on a farm that US investigators said was being used for bestiality.
Stephen Clarke, 51, of Peterborough, Cambridge, was detained at the property in Washington state, near the Canadian border, on Wednesday.
Clarke was arrested with convicted cocaine smuggler Douglas Spink, 39, who is believed to have been running the farm.
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo said when agents searched Spink's home, they found a video of Clarke sexually abusing dogs.
He was charged with animal cruelty and appeared in Whatcom County Superior Court on Thursday.
Dozens of dogs, horses and pet mice were seized, along with what investigators described as thousands of images of bestiality.
Assistant US attorney Susan Roe said Clarke had admitted bestiality activities.
Clarke was arrested on state charges for allegedly abusing the dogs.
Spink calls his operation Exitpoint Stallions. An entry on its website reads "Are we unconventional in our approach to stallion care? Absolutely."
Under Washington law, it is illegal to assist others in engaging in bestiality - and breaking any state law would be a violation of Spink's release, punishable by up to five years in prison.
