Full Breakdown
Shooting of Donkey HeeHaw During Missing-Child Search Sparks State Investigation
9/6/2026, 1:44:44 AM
Incident Overview
On August 30, a Cedartown Police Department officer entered a pasture near Rockmart, Georgia, while assisting Polk County officers in the search for a missing 12-year-old girl. While tracking footprints, the team encountered a miniature donkey named HeeHaw. According to the officer’s incident report, a K-9 handler first attempted to deter the animal with a Taser, but the donkey continued toward the officers. The officer then drew his department-issued Glock 17 and fired a single round, striking HeeHaw, which retreated up the hill before collapsing. The missing child was later located safely down Grady Road.
Background & Context
The search began after the girl was reported missing for roughly two hours. Cedartown officers joined a Polk County K-9 handler and a Haralson County bloodhound team, following a trail that led into the pasture of Elsberry Riding and Farm, a local petting-zoo operation. Horses in the pasture spooked and fled, after which the donkey approached the officers, prompting the use of a Taser and subsequently lethal force.
Official Statements & Responses
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed that the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division conducts an independent investigation. A spokesperson for the department said the review is in its early stages and further findings will be released when available.
Owner and Community Reaction
Hannah Israel, HeeHaw’s owner, described the donkey as a “bottle-raised baby” that had been a regular participant in petting zoos and family events. She asserted the animal had never shown aggression and that officers entered the pasture without permission or warning. Israel issued a cease-and-desist notice to online users alleging animal abuse and launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $118,000 from roughly 1,800 donors. The funds will cover legal fees, care for the farm’s remaining animals, and support a foundation in HeeHaw’s name.
Data & Statistics
- Estimated value of HeeHaw: $6,000 (owner’s assessment).
- GoFundMe contributions: approximately $118,000 (exceeding the original $30,000 goal).
- The missing girl was found safe within hours of the shooting.
What’s Next
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division will continue its independent review. Findings are expected to address whether the officer’s actions complied with department policy and state law and may influence future protocols for handling animal encounters during emergency searches.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The donkey then began to charge at us,” — Officer Trenton Garner
- “The Cedartown Police Department is aware that a city police officer shot and killed a donkey in the early hours of Sunday morning.” — The department
- “My bottle baby donkey ‘HeeHaw’ was killed in his own pasture on Saturday night by trespassing cops,” — Hannah Israel
- “HeeHaw or any donkey, truly should not represent a dangerous animal that would be considered as a risk, needing to be shot.” — Jme Thomas, executive director of Motley Zoo Animal Rescue
