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A Georgia family is mourning the loss of its one-year-old donkey after a police officer shot and killed the animal during a search for a missing child.
The incident happened around 12:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Elsberry Riding and Farm in Rockmart, Georgia.
According to Local 3 News, a Cedartown police officer was helping the Polk County Police Department search for a missing 12-year-old girl.
The child was later found safe at a church near the pasture. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office clarified that its deputies were not involved in the incident.
During the search, officers entered the pasture and encountered HeeHaw, a young donkey his owner described as the farm’s “social butterfly.”
Farm owner Hannah Israel said police told her HeeHaw ran toward the officers while braying. According to Israel’s account, officers attempted to use a Taser before one officer shot and killed him.
Police have confirmed the shooting but have not publicly confirmed the Taser account or explained why the officer believed the donkey presented a threat.
Israel said she could not imagine HeeHaw behaving aggressively enough to warrant being shot.
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“HeeHaw loves people. That’s his thing,” she told Local 3 News.
Israel said HeeHaw regularly approached visitors, made noises and placed his nose close to them to investigate. She believes his friendly behavior may have been misunderstood.
Israel also said officers entered the property without first receiving permission from the family. She questioned how they accessed the pasture and why nobody remained to show the family where HeeHaw’s body was located.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed that the unidentified officer was placed on paid administrative leave. The investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
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Newsome said he would not offer an opinion while the outside investigation remains active.
“My heart goes out to them, and my prayers are with them,” Newsome said. “This was a very tragic and very unfortunate incident.”
Body-camera footage of the encounter exists. Newsome said he has reviewed it but would not describe what it shows out of respect for the state investigation. The footage has not been publicly released, according to WXIA’s report.
Israel said HeeHaw was bottle-raised, spent his first months inside the family’s home and participated in local petting zoos.
“Nothing will ever be the same again,” she said.
The family has hired an attorney and is considering legal action. As of Sept. 3, investigators had not announced any findings, charges or disciplinary decisions.
As always, stay tuned for updates.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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they need to shoot criminals not innocent animals!
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