Georgia police officer shoots pet donkey during search for missing child

A Cedartown, Georgia, police officer is under investigation after fatally shooting a beloved miniature donkey named HeeHaw during a search for a missing 12-year-old girl on August 30.

Officer Trenton Garner released an incident report stating that while searching a pasture with a K-9 team, the donkey began to charge at the officers. Garner reported that after a Taser failed to deter the animal, he fired a single round from his Glock 17 to protect the K-9 handler and bloodhound team. The donkey reportedly ran up a hill before collapsing.

The animal's owner, Hannah Israel, disputed this account, stating that HeeHaw was a gentle, bottle-fed pet that was not aggressive toward humans. She noted that the officers were on her property without prior warning or permission.

The missing girl was later found safe at a nearby church. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement is conducting an investigation into the incident.