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Georgia officer placed on leave after family's pet donkey shot

newsAug 31, 2026461,074

A Georgia police officer has been placed on leave after officers shot and killed a family’s pet donkey, HeeHaw, during an early-morning search at Elsberry farm in Rockmart at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday. Owner Hannah Israel said officers were on her pasture without notification or permission while looking for a missing person, and that HeeHaw emerged braying before an officer, after attempting to tase him, shot the small male donkey and said he felt threatened. Cedartown police chief Jamie Newsome told local media that the department’s command staff opened an investigation and that the unnamed officer was placed on administrative leave. The Polk county sheriff’s office said its deputies were not involved but confirmed law enforcement personnel from Polk county and Cedartown were on scene and offered condolences. Israel said HeeHaw was bottle-raised and performed at petting zoos, and she launched an online fundraising appeal to support legal action that quickly surpassed $35,000. By Monday morning online criticism had grown over the lack of an immediate official statement from the city and Cedartown police beyond Newsome’s comment.

Erin Fogg says Free Link
@criminalerin.bsky.social

"...officers were at her pasture without notification or permission at 12.45am on Sunday, looking for a missing person when they encountered the small male donkey named HeeHaw. “They claimed he ran up to them braying & they thought they were in danger & shot & killed him after trying to taze him""

21845d ago
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