A property owner from Rockmart has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against a Cedartown police officer, claiming he entered her enclosed pasture without a warrant and shot her young pet donkey during a search for a missing person. The officer, Trenton Ryan Garner, along with law enforcement, allegedly trespassed on Hannah Michelle Israel’s property late on August 29 into the early hours of August 30.
During the search, which involved K-9 units and drones, Garner fatally shot the donkey, named “HeeHaw,” despite it being calm and non-threatening. After the incident, the officers left without informing Israel about the shooting, later calling her to inform her that the donkey was “dispatched” but did not disclose the location of its body. This forced Israel and a child to search the dark pasture on foot to find the animal.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fourth and 14th Amendments, including illegal search, unlawful seizure, destruction of property, and deprivation of due process, and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.
