Georgia Police Put Officer on Leave After Shooting Pet Donkey as Family Raises $113,000
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
Georgia Police Put Officer on Leave After Shooting Pet Donkey as Family Raises $113,000
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
Summary
Cedartown police placed an officer on paid administrative leave after he shot and killed HeeHaw, a family’s pet donkey, during a 12:45 a.m. search in Rockmart for a missing child later found at a nearby church.
Police said officers entered the pasture, the donkey ran toward them braying, and the officer fired after an attempted Taser use because they believed they were in danger.
Body-camera footage exists and has been reviewed by Police Chief Jamie Newsom, while the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s law-enforcement division has taken over the animal-shooting investigation.
Hannah Israel, 30, said officers entered without warning, called the shooting illegal, vowed legal action, and said HeeHaw was a bottle-fed family pet who loved approaching people.
More than $113,000 had been raised on Israel’s GoFundMe by Tuesday morning to cover legal costs, with any remaining money earmarked for the farm, animal care and a future HeeHaw foundation.