A police officer is on administrative leave after shooting and killing a baby donkey named HeeHaw at an animal sanctuary in Rockmart, Polk County. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when the officer entered the Elsberry Riding and Farm property without the owner's permission.
HeeHaw's owner, Hannah Israel, stated on Facebook that the officer entered the pasture around 12:45 a.m. while searching for a missing person. According to Israel, the officer claimed the donkey ran towards them, braying, and was perceived as a threat, leading to the animal being tasered and then shot.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that officers from the Polk County Police Department and the Cedartown Police Department were involved in the search but stated their agency was not directly involved in the shooting.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome told the Daily Mail that his officers were among those searching for a missing 12-year-old child, and the search led them through the sanctuary's pasture. Newsome stated that the child was located safely about an hour after the donkey was shot. He also mentioned that the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Law Enforcement Division, has taken over the investigation.
Newsome expressed that he is 'heartbroken' by the incident. The identity of the officer who fired the fatal shot has not been released, and further details regarding why the animal was perceived as a threat have not been disclosed. The City of Cedartown acknowledged awareness of the incident but declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
HeeHaw was described as a "loved member of our family" who participated in petting zoos and brought smiles to many faces. Israel has established a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees related to the incident.
