A Georgia police officer shot and killed a family’s pet donkey during a nighttime search for a missing child, prompting an investigation and placing the officer on administrative leave.
Officials confirm the donkey was shot in the early hours of Sunday morning after officers entered the property in Rockmart, Polk County, while searching for a 12-year-old child who was later found unharmed at a nearby church.
The Cedartown Police Department has placed the officer involved on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, when officers from multiple agencies, including the Cedartown Police Department and Polk County Police Department, were conducting a search for the missing child. According to the Cedartown Police Department, the search took officers through the animal sanctuary where the donkey, named HeeHaw, was kept.
Hannah Israel, the owner of HeeHaw, stated that officers entered her pasture without warning or permission while searching for the missing child. Israel described HeeHaw as a beloved pet who was bottle-raised and slept in her bed for the first three months of his life. She said the donkey typically ran toward strangers, braying as a form of greeting, and that officers attempted to tase him before shooting him.
Israel expressed devastation over the loss of her pet, calling HeeHaw her "son" and stating that she plans to pursue legal action. A photo shared by Israel showed her crying over the lifeless donkey, whose eyes remained open after the shooting.
The Cedartown Police Department confirmed that the missing child was located approximately one hour after HeeHaw was shot. Chief Jamie Newsome stated that the department is cooperating with the investigation and expressed sadness over the incident.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has taken over the investigation into the shooting, as required by state protocols for animal-related incidents involving law enforcement. The department has not yet released further details about the investigation.
Israel and her family have vowed to seek justice for HeeHaw, while community members and online users have expressed outrage over the shooting, calling for transparency and accountability.
The incident has raised questions about police procedures during searches, particularly regarding the use of force against animals and the entry onto private property without prior notice.