A police officer has been placed on administrative leave after a baby donkey was shot and killed during an overnight law enforcement search in Polk County, Georgia. The donkey, named HeeHaw, was killed early on August 30 during an investigation involving officers from the Cedartown Police Department and Polk County Police Department, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that its deputies were not involved in the incident.
Newsweek reached out to Polk County police via email on Monday for further comment. According to a social media post from Elsberry Riding and Farm, officers entered the property's pasture at about 12:45 a.m. while searching for a missing person. The farm said HeeHaw approached the officers while braying.
The post alleges officers attempted to use a Taser on the donkey before an officer shot and killed him. Authorities have not independently confirmed those details. The farm described HeeHaw as a beloved pet who had been bottle-raised and participated in petting zoos.
He appeared in several posts on social media. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTdhvnEDjRC/ The donkey's owner, Hannah Israel, wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser: "My bottle baby donkey 'HeeHaw' was killed in his own pasture on Saturday night by trespassing cops. He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile. We are raising money to lawyer fees.
Anything not used for lawyer will go directly back to the animals care and feed. Help me get justice for HeeHaw!" So far, the fundraiser has raised over $42,000 of its $90,000 goal. Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said the department's command staff has launched an investigation into the shooting, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
The officer who fired the fatal shot has not been publicly identified and has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. Officials have not provided further details about the circumstances that led to HeeHaw being shot. "We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident," the sheriff's office said, per Fox 5 Atlanta, adding that it understood "the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred." The City of Cedartown said it is aware of the incident but declined to provide additional information because the investigation remains active.
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