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Georgia officer placed on leave after family's pet donkey shot

newsAug 31, 202618637

A Cedartown, Georgia police officer was placed on leave after a family’s pet donkey named HeeHaw was shot and killed during an early-morning search at Elsberry farm in Rockmart at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday. Owner Hannah Israel said officers were on her pasture without notification or permission, and that HeeHaw brayed at the presence of strangers before an officer shot him after saying the animal made the officer feel threatened. Israel posted that officers attempted to tase the donkey before shooting and described HeeHaw as bottle-raised and used in petting zoos. Cedartown police chief Jamie Newsome told local media the department’s command staff opened an investigation and placed the involved officer on administrative leave while the inquiry proceeds. The Polk county sheriff’s office said its deputies were not involved but confirmed law enforcement from Polk county and Cedartown were at the scene and extended condolences to the family. Israel’s online fundraising appeal to support legal action over HeeHaw’s killing quickly surpassed $35,000.

Erin Fogg says Free Link
@criminalerin.bsky.social

"...officers were at her pasture without notification or permission at 12.45am on Sunday, looking for a missing person when they encountered the small male donkey named HeeHaw. “They claimed he ran up to them braying & they thought they were in danger & shot & killed him after trying to taze him""

982h ago
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