A search for a missing child in Georgia ended in tragedy when a police officer shot and killed a beloved donkey on private property. Now, the animal’s devastated owner is speaking out — and preparing for a possible legal battle over what happened.
What Happened
The incident occurred Aug. 30 at Elsberry Riding & Farm in Rockmart, where Hannah Israel had lovingly bottle-raised her donkey, HeeHaw. According to Hannah, HeeHaw’s eyes were still wide open when Hannah found him, and she broke down crying over his body.
HeeHaw was more than a farm animal to her family. He was a beloved “bottle baby donkey” who had been raised with love and brought to local petting zoos, where he helped bring smiles to countless people.
According to a Facebook post from Elsberry Riding and Farm, law enforcement entered the property’s pasture around 12:45 a.m. without the owner’s permission. The farm claimed officers said HeeHaw ran toward them, braying, before they attempted to use a Taser on him and ultimately shot him.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, and officials have not released the identity of the officer who fired the fatal shot or explained in detail why the donkey was considered a threat.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office clarified that its agency was not involved in the shooting. Officials said the incident involved officers from the Polk County Police Department and the Cedartown Police Department.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. We understand the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Hannah said officers entered her pasture without first asking for permission. She also said that after being notified about the shooting, it took her family as long as 20 minutes to locate HeeHaw’s body because officers did not show them where he had been shot.
Now, Hannah has hired an attorney and is considering filing a civil lawsuit over the death of her beloved donkey.
What Police Say Happened
Cedartown police said their officers were on the property as part of a search for a missing 12-year-old girl. Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome previously confirmed that a police officer shot and killed the donkey during the search.
“During that search, it is with a heavy heart that I report a Cedartown Police officer shot and killed a donkey in its own pasture,” Newsome said.
Newsome said the missing girl was found safely shortly after the donkey was killed, in the area around the pasture. He said he could not provide additional details because the investigation remains active.
The matter has since been turned over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division for an independent review.
“I want a state agency with expertise to handle this that is not from here to get it right,” Newsome said.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the City of Cedartown said it is aware of the incident but will not release additional information at this time because of the ongoing investigation.
A Family Mourning HeeHaw
For Hannah, the investigation doesn’t change the fact that a beloved member of her family is gone. She had bottle-raised HeeHaw and cared for him for years, even taking him to local petting zoos where children and families could meet him.
A GoFundMe campaign has now been established to help cover legal expenses connected to the incident.
“He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile,” the fundraiser’s organizer wrote.
As investigators work to determine exactly what happened in those early-morning hours, Hannah is left grieving the animal she raised from a bottle — while seeking answers about how a missing-child search ended with HeeHaw being killed in his own pasture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why was HeeHaw the donkey shot by police? According to the owner’s account, officers said the donkey ran toward them braying and they perceived it as a threat before attempting to Taser and then shoot him. Officials have not yet released an independent, detailed explanation, and the incident remains under investigation.
2. Which police agency was responsible for the shooting? The Cedartown Police Department confirmed one of its officers fired the fatal shot while assisting the Polk County Police Department with a missing-child search. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated it was not involved.
3. Was the missing child found safe? Yes. Police said the missing 12-year-old girl was found safely shortly after the donkey was shot, in the area near the pasture.
4. What happened to the officer involved? The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division conducts an independent investigation.
5. Is the family taking legal action? Hannah Israel, HeeHaw’s owner, has hired an attorney and is considering a civil lawsuit. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover related legal expenses.