WILLIAMSPORT, Ohio – A Pickaway County man has confessed to shooting a mini horse after he mistakenly believed the animal was a coyote or donkey during an early-morning incident on April 5, 2025.
Kyle Hansen, of Williamsport, called the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office on April 7 to confess to shooting the mini horse, named Cyclone, while attempting to protect his dog. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when Hansen’s dog got loose and began making noise, prompting Hansen to believe it was being attacked by a coyote. Armed with a 9mm handgun, Hansen approached the animal in the dark, thinking it was a donkey. However, after seeing a Facebook post from Cyclone’s owner, Cheryl Hay, Hansen realized he had shot a mini horse.
Hansen, who was visibly nervous when deputies arrived at his home, explained that he had acted in haste after seeing his dog being trampled by the horse. He said that after shooting, he later discovered the animal was not a donkey, but a mini horse. He also admitted to firing approximately six or seven shots at the animal, causing damage to both Cyclone’s body and the horse’s pen, including a watering bowl that had been struck multiple times.
Upon further investigation, Deputy Sgt. Andrews and Captain Johnathan Strawser arrived at the scene and conducted a thorough examination of the crime scene. They found bullet holes in the mini horse’s body and documented the damage to the pen and watering bowl. Hansen’s statement, taken during an interview, confirmed his actions, and he also provided a series of Facebook messages he had sent to Hay, apologizing for the incident.
In his messages, Hansen expressed regret, stating, “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.”
Hansen also revealed that his dog had been slightly injured in the incident but appeared to be recovering. He explained that the dog’s escape into the pen was likely an accident and that it had been unable to escape after being trampled by the horse.
Following the confession, deputies took possession of the firearm involved and advised Hansen not to reach out to Hay directly, to avoid further complications. Investigators are continuing to look into the case, and charges may be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
The incident highlights the dangers of mistaking animals in the dark, and authorities are urging residents to be cautious when handling firearms in areas with livestock or wildlife.
For now, the case remains under investigation by the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
