Cop shoots beloved petting zoo donkey after wild midnight search for missing child went horribly wrong

Last week, a tragedy struck in a local community in Polk County, Georgia.

A beloved animal was shot dead by the local police.

The owner is now searching for answers as to why a seemingly innocent and harmless farm animal had to be killed by the police force.

Donkey killed by a police officer

An officer went onto the premises where Elsberry Riding and Farm is located to look for a missing child.

During the search, a donkey named HeeHaw approached the officer. Something happened during the encounter that made the officer use a taser on the donkey before eventually shooting it, resulting in the donkey’s death.

Owner Hannah Israel says that the officer ultimately killed a donkey that was not a threat to anyone.

In a Facebook post, she writes: “Polk County cop KILLED my baby donkey! They claimed he ran up to them braying and they thought they were in danger and shot and killed him after trying to taze him. HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos he never knew a stranger. And was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. Alerting to a stranger.”

Seeking real justice

Israel has retained counsel and is considering a civil lawsuit against the police department. She has also created a GoFundMe campaign.

HeeHaw grew up on the farm, and the owner brought the donkey to petting zoos where he was beloved by everyone. “He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile.”

The donations from the GoFundMe fundraiser will go to care for the other animals on the farm and set up a foundation in HeeHaw’s name.

The police respond

Different police departments in Polk County are trying to pass the buck over this tragedy.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that its deputies did not fire the shot, noting that the Cedartown and Polk County police departments were at the scene.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome later posted a statement on social media confirming it was one of his officers who fired the fatal shot at HeeHaw.

“An officer responded to a request from the Polk County Police Department in searching for a missing child. During that search, it is with a heavy heart that I report a Cedartown police officer shot and killed a donkey. […] The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome.”

According to Chief Newsome, the case has been handed over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division, which is conducting an independent investigation.

This article is made and published by Daniel Wolfram, who may have used AI in the preparation