US police officer shoots pet donkey after its approach was deemed a threat, owner vows legal action

A police officer in Georgia, United States, shot and killed a family’s pet donkey while searching for a missing child, prompting the animal’s owner to demand answers and vow legal action.

The incident happened at around 12:45am on 30 August at Elsberry Riding and Farm in Cedartown, Georgia, where officers were searching the property for the missing child.

The child was later found at a nearby church, according to police.

Hannah Israel, the donkey’s owner, said officers entered her pasture without permission or warning before shooting her one-year-old donkey, HeeHaw.

In a Facebook post on 30 August, Israel said police told her that HeeHaw had run towards officers while braying, causing them to believe they were in danger.

She said officers first attempted to use a taser before one officer shot and killed the donkey.

Owner vows legal action

Israel said she was devastated by HeeHaw’s death and described him as a member of her family.

According to Fox 8 Live, Israel said she did not hear the gunshots but received a phone call from police at about 12:45am informing her that HeeHaw had been shot.

She said HeeHaw’s behaviour was not aggressive, describing his tendency to approach people and bray as his normal way of greeting strangers.

“He was my kid,” Israel told ABC7 News.

Israel said she had bottle-raised HeeHaw from about one hour old and initially raised him inside her home.

He regularly followed her around the farm and participated in petting zoos at the property and at events in the community.

She has publicly called for justice for HeeHaw and said she intends to take legal action over his death.

Israel also called for better training and protocols for police officers responding to properties where animals are present, questioning why officers entered her pasture and whether the shooting was justified.

Police officer placed on leave

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsom confirmed that an officer shot and killed HeeHaw but declined to provide details about what led to the shooting.

Newsom confirmed that body-camera footage exists and said he had viewed it, but declined to comment on what it shows because the incident is under investigation.

The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The Cedartown Police Department has turned the investigation over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division, which was at the farm investigating the donkey’s death on Monday, according to Fox News.

“I cannot imagine the grief and frustration that the tragic loss of HeeHaw has caused,” Newsom said, according to Fox 8 Live.

Fundraiser raises more than US$119,000

Israel has also launched an online fundraiser to help cover legal expenses related to HeeHaw’s death.

According to Fox News and ABC7 News, the fundraiser had raised more than US$119,000 by Tuesday.

Israel said any money remaining after legal costs would go towards the farm, caring for its animals and establishing a future foundation in HeeHaw’s name.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly disclosed what the body-camera footage shows or provided further details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.