Georgia Officer Shoots and Kills Family's Beloved Pet Donkey During Search for Missing Child

A Georgia police officer shot and killed a family's beloved pet donkey after law enforcement personnel entered the animal’s pasture while searching for a missing child. The child was later located safely at a nearby church.

Hannah Israel, 30, recounted that officers entered her family’s property in Rockmart, Polk County, without prior notification around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday. While conducting their search for the missing child, officers encountered the young donkey, named HeeHaw.

“They claimed he ran up to them braying and they thought they were in danger and shot and killed him after trying to Taze him,” Israel stated on social media. She challenged the officers' account, emphasizing, “HeeHaw was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. Alerting to a stranger. There is no way this is legal!”

Israel expressed her profound grief and vowed to pursue legal action in pursuit of justice for HeeHaw. “We are heart broken. He was my SON!!” she wrote, adding in another post, “We miss him so much where is safe?? When my own baby was shot in his own home?”

A photograph taken shortly after the tragic event depicted Israel in tears, cradling her deceased pet donkey, whose eyes remained open as he lay lifeless on the ground.

Israel described HeeHaw’s endearing personality in an interview, explaining, “He would normally be standing right over there talking while I'm talking because he thought he could talk like a person could talk.” She further elaborated, “Every time he saw somebody, he would run up and bray. And then do a really goofy sound, and because he loved people, and he thought he was a person. He slept in my bed for the first three months of his life.”

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Cedartown Police Department announced that the officer involved in the shooting of the young donkey has been placed on paid administrative leave. The department issued a statement confirming that the investigation into the animal's death has been transferred to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division. The officer will remain on leave throughout the duration of this investigation.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsom confirmed that body camera footage of the incident exists and that he has reviewed it. “That search took them to the incident location where this very unfortunate and heartbreaking event occurred,” Chief Newsom commented.

Chief Newsom acknowledged the deep sorrow experienced by the family and the wider community following HeeHaw's death. “They're members of the human family, and I am too, and heartbroken,” he stated.

Investigators from the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division were present at Elsberry Farm on Monday, actively investigating the circumstances surrounding HeeHaw's death.

Community Support and Future Plans

In response to the tragedy, Israel established an online fundraiser to help cover the legal expenses associated with HeeHaw’s death. She specified that any donations exceeding the legal costs would be allocated to the farm, the care of its animals, and the eventual establishment of a “future HeeHaw foundation.” As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had garnered more than $113,000 in donations.

On the fundraising page, Israel wrote, “My bottle baby donkey 'HeeHaw' was killed in his own pasture on Saturday night by trespassing cops. He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile.” She confirmed having retained legal counsel but reiterated that any funds remaining after legal expenditures would not be used for personal needs.