A Georgia police officer, Trenton Garner, shot and killed a pet donkey named HeeHaw while responding to a report of a missing girl. The incident occurred on August 30 when Garner and other officers were searching a pasture. According to Garner’s report, HeeHaw charged at the officers, prompting him to use his firearm after a Taser failed to subdue the animal. The donkey subsequently ran up a hill and collapsed.
HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, stated her pet was worth around $6,000 and had never acted aggressively. She expressed her heartbreak over the incident, criticizing the police for entering her property without permission and for the shooting of her “bottle-raised” donkey.
The girl reported missing was later found safe, but the incident has sparked outrage and is under investigation by the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement. Garner has been placed on leave during the investigation. Israel has called for accountability without inciting hatred.
