A Cedartown police officer has been placed on administrative leave after a pet donkey was shot dead during an overnight search for a missing person in Polk County, Georgia.
The animal, named HeeHaw, was killed at about 12.45am on Sunday, 30 August, at Elsberry Riding and Farm, according to local reports. The circumstances of the shooting are being investigated by Cedartown Police.
Police Chief Jamie Newsome said command staff had opened an internal investigation and that the officer involved had been placed on administrative leave. The officer’s identity has not been released.
The owner, Hannah Israel, said officers entered the pasture without permission or warning while searching for the missing person. She said they told her HeeHaw ran towards them while braying and that they believed they were in danger.
A post by Elsberry Riding and Farm alleged that officers tried to use a Taser on the donkey before he was shot. The account has not been independently verified, and officials have not explained why the animal was regarded as a threat or provided a detailed account of the encounter.
Israel said HeeHaw had been bottle-raised and was accustomed to people, having been involved in petting zoos. She described him in a social media post as her “SON” and said the family intended to take legal action.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stressed that its deputies were not involved. It said the agencies at the scene were the Polk County Police Department and the Cedartown Police Department.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident,” the sheriff’s office said.
The City of Cedartown confirmed that an investigation was under way and that the officer had been placed on leave, but said it would not release further information while the inquiry remained active.
A fundraising page has been established to help with legal costs connected to the shooting and the family’s efforts to obtain answers.
