UNIQUELY DANGEROUS

EXCERPT

The opening chapters of Uniquely Dangerous are now available to download for free, in the form of the following PDF:

UniquelyDangerous_CarreenMaloney-rev1.0

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

A Work of Investigative Journalism

 

On April 14, 2010, the federal government raided Douglas Spink’s home. At the time, he was living 20 miles from my home in northern Washington State. Mr. Spink’s animals were seized and taken to Whatcom Humane Society, the local agency tasked by the government. I’ve written for—and about—Whatcom Humane Society for more than a decade.

Early on, I wasn’t sure I was going to write anything about Mr. Spink or zoophilia. Frankly, I didn’t know what to write. The story was complex. Shadowy. Characterized by a maze of conflicting so-called facts and perspectives. But when the facts I was digging up didn’t corroborate with what was being presented by the media, I decided to keep investigating anyway, with no idea where it would lead.

Initially, Doug Spink wasn’t optimistic about my interest in his personal story. He told me he didn’t need or want a “Kardashian-style” look at his life. He made it clear he wasn’t willing to be a spokesman for other zoos, either. Mr. Spink’s attorney, Howard Phillips, also wasn’t thrilled by the possibility of this book. When we met in 2010, he told me flat-out he had classified me as “the enemy,” adding that he would be relaying that exact message to his client. The media had already savaged Mr. Spink, and Mr. Phillips was being prudently cautious about publicity.

Still, despite the roadblocks, our communications persisted. At first halting over the prison email system, then eventually by telephone and in-person interviews following Mr. Spink’s release from federal custody. For my part, I didn’t think it was fair to publish a story about Mr. Spink until he was released from prison, at which time he would have the chance to respond fully to the allegations being made. And only then would he have the opportunity to produce documentation to support his statements.

Eight years after the raid, I’ve finally finished writing the story, in the form of a book titled Uniquely Dangerous.

Along the way, the book has gathered its own momentum. The project has expanded in scope. Many more zoos have approached me. Some know Doug Spink personally, but many don’t. The majority of zoos simply want to share general information about zoophilia, and to tell their personal stories. That unexpected outpouring has led me to create another section of the work, a compendium that pulls together individual stories about zoos.

Some zoos are happy I am writing about zoophilia, while others would prefer I just shut up and went away. To let sleeping dogs lie.

Uniquely Dangerous earns five-star review from Readers’ Favorite book awards
“Enlightening, disturbing and ultimately thought-provoking…Maloney’s story flows swiftly and fluently. Her writing kept me enthralled as she handled the thorny issues surrounding the taboo of zoophilia.”
—Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite book reviewer

 

A SHOCKING SEX SCANDAL MADE HEADLINES AROUND THE WORLD.
THE TRUTH WAS STRANGER THAN FICTION.

On a quiet spring morning in 2010, a group of federal, state and local law enforcement agents gathered in northern Washington State to stage a raid. Their target: a rustic cabin perched high on a hilltop, just five miles from the Canadian border. At the time, it was inhabited by a high-tech entrepreneur who provided encryption and privacy services. The once-wealthy man now lived in the little cabin with his dogs and horses, including a champion show jumping stallion named Capone. Authorities accused Douglas Spink of a shocking crime—operating a commercial bestiality farm. But in fact the whole truth was more complicated than that. Reporter Carreen Maloney spent years seeking the real story, ultimately uncovering a secret society of zoophiles who form their main social, emotional and physical bonds with animals. Uniquely Dangerous sheds light on a worldwide social phenomenon that dares not venture from the shadows.