PHOENIX, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Arizona said they arrested a man accused of pimping out his dog in exchange for sex with various farm animals.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said James Allen Darland, 56, of Mount Vernon, Wash., was arrested Monday after a months-long investigation into allegations that he was offering sex with his dog in exchange for amorous encounters with farm animals.


The sheriff's office said Darland contacted an investigator posing as a farmer online in an attempt to "arrange for sexual liaisons with various farm animals in exchange for sex with his own personal dog."

"The suspect requested to spend days on the farmer's property solely for the purpose of having sex with the various animals provided including miniature horses, dogs and goats," the sheriff's office said.

Investigators said Darland admitted in emails and phone calls to having sex with a Washington state neighbor's horse, dogs and sheep on multiple occasions.

Darland also said he had sexual encounters with customers' pets and stray dogs during his 23 years working for a delivery company.

"We clearly confirmed his intentions to commit this crime by statements, recorded phone calls and videos, e-mails and actions witnessed by my detective, leaving no doubt in his mind that Darland fully intended to carry out his perversion by committing the crime of bestiality," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Darland was arrested on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit bestiality. His dog was seized by investigators and handed over to the Arizona Humane Society to determine whether it has been sexually abused.