Cedartown police officer on leave after shooting pet donkey

A Cedartown police officer has been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of a pet donkey named HeeHaw during a search for a missing child in Polk County, Georgia.

The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on August 30 at Elsberry Riding and Farm. According to farm owner Hannah Israel, officers entered the property without permission while searching for a 12-year-old girl. Israel reported that the donkey, a bottle-raised animal used for petting zoos, approached the officers while braying. Officers reportedly attempted to use a Taser before one officer fatally shot the animal.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed that the officer involved is on leave and that the investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement division. While the search for the missing child was ongoing, the child was eventually located safely at a nearby church.

Hannah Israel has expressed deep heartbreak, describing the donkey as a member of her family, and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees for intended civil action. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that its deputies were not involved in the shooting.