An Idaho man faces criminal charges after his heartbroken ex-girlfriend accused him of shooting her beloved horse to death multiple times after they ended their relationship.
Shawn Brayden Jones, 24, had recently broken up with Mailee Cooper, 22, and their horse Bree, 12, had been staying on their property. Cooper had raised the horse since he was just three years old.
Jones allegedly told police that the horse had not been “fed or cared for” and was of no use, so he “had to put it down.”
He said no one had come to see the horse since Jan. 31, six days before police arrived to question him.
On February 6, Bingham County sheriff’s deputies met with Jones after a call for help.
An Idaho man faces criminal charges after his heartbroken ex-girlfriend accused him of shooting her beloved horse to death multiple times after they ended their relationship.
Shawn Brayden Jones, 24, had recently broken up with Mailee Cooper, 22, and their horse Bree, 12, had been staying on their property.
Officers stated that Jones smelled of alcohol and “the smell increased as he spoke more.”
“He stuttered and couldn’t describe what exactly was happening” when asked why the horse was unwell.
Jones claimed he shot the horse four times with a lever-action .22 rifle, according to Eastern Idaho News.
When they photographed the horse again, they discovered that other than being shot, “the horse appeared to be in good health” and “there were no signs of malnutrition or neglect.”
After that, a family member spoke to the officer privately and admitted that Jones “was out of control” and “didn’t need to shoot the horse,” recommending that charges be filed.
The officer told the man there was “no logical reason why his first step was to shoot the animal” and wondered why he never called animal control if the horse was in bad shape.
Contacted a few hours later, Cooper said she had been on the property to see the horse earlier the day it was shot and that a friend even fed it on Feb. 2 and was “adamant that the horse was not mistreated at all.” .
She added that Jones was drinking and had been “furious” about their breakup, prompting her to find a truck and trailer to pick up the horse.
Jones allegedly told police that the horse had not been “fed or cared for” and was of no use, so he “had to put it down.”
Cooper was contacted a few hours later and said she had been to the property to see the horse earlier that day.
She added that Jones was drinking and had been “furious” about their breakup, prompting her to find a truck and trailer to pick up the horse.
Cooper, while driving to pick up the trailer, was called by a relative of Jones to tell him that he had shot Bree.
She said the horse was worth $10,000 and had been registered with the American Quarter Horse Association.
Jones reportedly admitted to shooting the horse after Cooper came to visit and spontaneously offered to pay half of what the horse was worth.
Officers eventually subjected Jones to a breathalyzer test, where he registered more than twice the legal limit.
Cooper wrote a touching memory for Bree on your facebook page.
“The loss of my horse is a deep pain that weighs heavily on my heart,” he wrote.
‘She was not only my best friend, she was my faithful companion and protector. The pain of her passing is intensified by knowing that she saved my life by bravely putting herself in danger and taking a bullet for me. ‘Her selfless act of heroism is a testament to the deep bond we share, a bond forged through countless hours of trust and camaraderie.’
Cooper told reporters that Bree had “practically taken a bullet for me” and that he wants justice.
Cooper wrote a touching memory of Bree on his Facebook page.
‘She was not only my best friend, she was my faithful companion and protector. The pain of her passing is intensified by knowing that she saved my life by bravely putting herself in harm’s way and taking a bullet for me,” Cooper said.
Cooper hopes the justice system will give him retribution for the death of his beloved horse.
TO GoFundMe has been started by a friend of Cooper’s to help her raise money to buy a new horse.
Jones remains jailed on $30,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for him on March 13.
A conviction could mean Jones would face up to five years in prison.