WILLIAMSPORT, Ohio (WCMH) – A Pickaway County man is facing charges after he allegedly shot a miniature horse, claiming that it was attacking his dog over the weekend.

According to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the 9900 block of U.S. Route 22 West in Williamsport, Ohio after receiving reports of a miniature horse shot dead. Upon arrival it was discovered that “Cyclone” was dead and appeared to have bullet holes in him.

Two days later a man called the sheriff’s office and wanted to confess to shooting the pony. That afternoon, Sgt. Tracy Andrews met with 29-year-old Kyle Hansen, of Williamsport. Hansen admitted to shooting the pony in the middle of the night, not realizing it was a pony at the time until he read a Facebook post on a Williamsport, Ohio page.

Hansen told authorities that at around 5 or 5:30 a.m. his dog got loose, and he heard it yelping like it was being injured. He said he thought a coyote may have been attacking his dog and he retrieved his 9mm handgun. Hansen said he came up to another fence and saw his dog getting trampled by another animal and he shot at it “six or seven times.”

The sheriff’s office reported that Hansen believes his dog got in the pony’s pen on accident and could not get out. The dog reportedly suffered some cuts around the eyes and limped for a few days after the incident.

Hansen told the Sgt. he thought about reaching out to the owners of the mini horse but wanted to contact an attorney first to get legal advice.

He then sent the owner a Facebook message that read in part, “I saw your post on the community page. I was the one responsible for the mini horse. My dog got out in the middle of the night, and I found the horse attacking him. I wasn’t aware that it was a horse at the time. … I understand if you want to press charges, I want to take responsibility for my actions. I have no problem paying you whatever I need to. If you guys are home and want to talk about it, I am willing to do that too. I live a couple houses down from the town hall. I am deeply sorry for all of it”

According to court records, Hansen is charged with one count each of cruelty of animals, criminal trespassing, both second degree misdemeanors, and criminal damages, a first-degree misdemeanor. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for the morning of April 17.