A Georgia police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after fatally shooting a family's pet donkey while responding to a report of a missing child. The incident occurred early Sunday morning on a farm in Rockmart, Polk County.
Hannah Israel, 30, stated that officers entered her family's property around 12:45 a.m. without prior warning. While searching the pasture for the child, officers encountered the donkey, identified as HeeHaw. According to Israel's Facebook post, officers claimed the donkey approached them braying and that they perceived a threat.
"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 wrote. "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!"
The missing child was later found safe at a nearby church. The donkey, described by Israel as a beloved member of her family, was pronounced dead at the scene. She expressed profound grief, stating, "We are heart broken. He was my SON!! We miss him so much where is safe?? When my own baby was shot in his own home?"
Israel told 11Alive that HeeHaw was a friendly animal who would often approach people and make unusual sounds, having slept in her bed as a young foal. She stated that the donkey was a frequent participant in petting zoos and brought smiles to many faces.
The Cedartown Police Department confirmed the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave. The department has handed over the investigation into the animal shooting to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsom acknowledged the family's and community's heartbreak. "That search took them to the incident location where this very unfortunate and heartbreaking event occurred," Newsom said, according to 11Alive. He added, "They're members of the human family, and I am too, and heartbroken."
Body camera footage of the incident exists, and Chief Newsom has reviewed it. The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division was on the farm Monday investigating the death.
Israel has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal costs related to HeeHaw's death. As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had garnered over $113,000. She stated that any remaining funds after legal expenses would be allocated to the farm, animal care, and the establishment of a future HeeHaw foundation.