Idaho man killed ex-girlfriend's HORSE by shooting it multiple times after they broke up

An Idaho man faces criminal charges after his heartbroken ex-girlfriend accused him of fatally shooting her beloved horse after they ended their relationship.

Shawn Brayden Jones, 24, had recently broken up with Mailee Cooper, 22, and her 12-year-old horse Bree had been staying on his property. Cooper had raised the horse since she was just three years old. 

Jones allegedly told police the horse had not 'been fed or taken care of' and wasn't of any use, so 'he needed to put it down.'

Jones claimed he shot the horse four times with a lever-action .22-rifle, according to the East Idaho News.  

After the horse's death, Cooper posted a heartbreaking tribute online and noted Bree 'wasn’t just my best friend she was my faithful companion and protector.'

An Idaho man faces criminal charges after his heartbroken ex-girlfriend accused him of fatally shooting her beloved horse multiple times after they had ended their relationship

Shawn Brayden Jones, 24, had recently broken up with Mailee Cooper, 22, and her 12-year-old horse Bree had been staying on his property

He said no one had visited the horse since January 31, a full six days before police arrived to question him.

On February 6, sheriff's deputies in Bingham County met with Jones after a call for help. Deputies claimed Jones smelled of alcohol and 'the smell grew has he spoke more.'

He 'stammered and was unable to describe what exactly was wrong' when they asked why the horse was unwell. 

When deputies went out back to photograph the horse, they found that other than having been shot, 'the horse appeared to be in good health' and 'there were no signs of malnourishment or neglect.' 

A family member spoke to the deputy privately and admitted Jones 'was out of control' and 'did not need to shoot the horse,' recommending he be charged.

The deputy said to the man that there had been 'no logical reason for his first step to be to shoot the animal' and wondered why he never called animal control if the horse was in bad shape. 

Cooper was contacted a few hours later and said she had been at the property to see the horse hours earlier and that a friend even fed it on February 2. She was 'adamant the horse was not mistreated at all.'

She added Jones was drinking and had been 'irate' over their breakup, which led her to go find a truck and trailer to pick the horse up.

Jones allegedly told police that the horse had not 'been fed or taken care of' and wasn't of any use, so 'he needed to put it down'

Cooper told police said she had been at the property to see the horse hours before it was shot

She added Jones was drinking and had been 'irate' over their breakup, which led her to go find a truck and trailer to pick the horse up

Cooper, while driving to go get the trailer, was called by the relative of Jones to say he'd 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 had come to visit and was offering to pay half what the horse was worth.

Deputies eventually subjected Jones to a breathalyzer test, where he registered over double the legal driving limit. 

After the horse's death, Cooper wrote a tear-jerking remembrance for Bree on her Facebook page. 

'The loss of my horse is a profound sorrow that weighs heavy on my heart,' she wrote. 

Cooper wrote a tear-jerking remembrance for Bree on her Facebook page

'She wasn’t just my best friend she was my faithful companion and protector. The pain of her passing is intensified by the knowledge that she saved my life, bravely stepping in harm’s way and taking a bullet for me,' Cooper said

Cooper hopes the justice system will give her retribution for her beloved horse's death

'She wasn’t just my best friend she was my faithful companion and protector. The pain of her passing is intensified by the knowledge that she saved my life, bravely stepping in harm’s way and taking a bullet for me. Her selfless act of heroism is a testament to the deep bond we shared, a bond forged through countless hours of trust and companionship.'

Cooper told reporters that Bree had 'pretty much took a bullet for me' and that she wants justice.

A GoFundMe has been started by a friend of Cooper to help her raise the cash to buy a new horse. 

Jones remains incarcerated on $30,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for him on March 13.

A conviction could see Jones face up to five years in prison.