State authorities in Georgia have launched an independent investigation into the alleged shooting and killing of a pet donkey by a police officer. HeeHaw was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer on August 30 at a farm near Rockmart. The animal’s owner, Hannah Israel, said officers entered her pasture at around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday without notifying her or obtaining permission.
They were reportedly searching for a missing person when they came across HeeHaw, a small male donkey. Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed in a video statement on August 31 that the state's Agriculture Department is now running its own investigation into the matter. "I have contacted the Georgia Department of Agriculture law enforcement division and they are conducting an independent investigation," he said.
"The officer that was involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation." A spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Agriculture told Newsweek by email: "I can confirm that we are conducting an independent investigation into the incident. Our investigation is in the early stages and we cannot comment further at this time. " According to a Facebook post from Elsberry Riding and Farm, which is owned by Israel, officers entered the property’s pasture at around 12:45 a.m. while searching for a missing person.
The farm said HeeHaw approached the officers while braying and alleged that officers first attempted to use a Taser on the donkey before one of them shot and killed him. The farm described HeeHaw as a beloved pet who had been bottle-raised and regularly took part in petting zoos. He had also appeared in several of the farm’s social media posts.
"HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos," the post reads, "and was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. There is no way this is legal! I will be taking legal action.
"The Cedartown Police Department is aware that a city police officer shot and killed a donkey in the early hours of Sunday morning," a statement posted on Facebook reads. The statement also confirmed that the missing child officers were searching for has now been located. A separate post made by Elsberry Riding and Farm on Tuesday reads: "This has nothing to do with the girl who was missing.
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