A police officer in Cedartown, Georgia, has been placed on leave after shooting and killing a pet donkey named HeeHaw. The incident occurred early on August 31, 2026, when officers entered a private pasture while pursuing a suspect. According to Hannah Israel, HeeHaw's owner, the officers encountered the donkey after entering her family's property without notice.
Israel stated that officers claimed the donkey approached them in a threatening manner, prompting them to attempt to Taser it before shooting and killing the animal. She described HeeHaw as a friendly, bottle-raised donkey that participated in local petting zoos and was not aggressive. Israel characterized the killing as an act of violence against her pet, whom she referred to as her son.
Following the incident, Cedar town officials confirmed the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave. They declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigation. Israel has announced her intention to pursue legal action and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees, which had raised over $76,000 by Monday afternoon.
