Georgia Cop Reveals Why He Shot Baby Donkey HeeHaw as Owner Shares Heartbreaking Video of Beloved Animal's Final Days

A Georgia police officer fatally shot a 1-year-old pet donkey named HeeHaw during a late-night search for a missing child, sparking national outrage and a state investigation.

ROCKMART, Georgia – A tragic incident at a Polk County farm has ignited widespread anger after a Cedartown police officer shot and killed a beloved baby donkey named HeeHaw during a search for a missing 12-year-old girl .

The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m. Sunday at the Elsberry Riding and Farm ranch in Rockmart, Georgia . Officer Trenton Garner, 24, a K-9 handler who joined the Cedartown Police Department in July 2023, fired a single round from his department-issued Glock 17 after the donkey reportedly charged at the search team .

According to an incident report obtained by multiple news outlets, Garner and other officers were assisting a bloodhound team tracking the missing child when they followed footprints onto the property . Due to the "exigency of locating this missing juvenile," the officers entered the pasture without notifying the owner .

Garner's account states that as they were tracing the fence line, horses in the pasture became spooked and ran away. At that point, a K-9 handler spotted the donkey on a hillside .

"The donkey then began to charge at us. Haralson County's K-9 team retreated, and K-9 Handler Thomasson removed his Taser-7 from its holster and began to arch it to attempt to deter the donkey from attacking us," Garner wrote in his report .

When the Taser failed to stop the animal, Garner wrote: "I removed my department-issued Glock 17 from its holster and pointed it at the donkey. I then fired a single round striking the donkey, at which point the donkey turned away from K-9 Handler Thomasson, retreating up the hill before falling over" .

HeeHaw collapsed and died shortly afterward.

Owner's Heartbreaking Account

Hannah Israel, HeeHaw's owner, said she was devastated by the loss of the animal she raised from birth .

"He was my kid," Israel told local media. "I bottle-raised him from one hour old" .

Israel said she had no idea officers were on her property until she received a heartbreaking phone call from police at 12:45 a.m. .

"Cops entered my pasture searching for a missing person WITHOUT permission or warning and shot and killed my bottle raised BABY donkey," she wrote on Facebook .

Israel insists HeeHaw was simply being a donkey when he approached the officers.

"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," she wrote .

"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" .

According to Garner's report, Israel later told him the donkey "would never act aggressive towards anyone, nor would it try to bite anyone" .

Police Chief Responds

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed the incident in a video statement and acknowledged the grief the community is feeling.

"I cannot imagine the grief and frustration that the tragic loss of HeeHaw has caused," Newsome said .

The chief announced that the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division conducts an independent investigation into the shooting .

"I ask everyone to join us in prayer for everyone who has been impacted by this tragic event, but give time for the investigation to be completed," Newsome said .

Officials confirmed that the missing 12-year-old girl was later found safe at a church near the pasture where the shooting occurred .

HeeHaw's Final Days Captured on Video

Israel has shared what she describes as her last video of HeeHaw, filmed just three days before his death . In the clip, the young donkey happily trots toward his owner, affectionately rubbing his head against her as she greets him .

"He just had his first birthday a couple of months ago. So he was still a baby, and he was my little, he was my kid," Israel told Gray News .

"He should not be dead," she added. "The whole circumstances literally say that HeeHaw shouldn't have died. And donkeys live to be about 35 to 40 years old. Like, I thought I would raise my future kids with HeeHaw, but instead he's gone. So, it's very devastating" .

Online Outrage and Fundraising Efforts

The story has drawn sharp condemnation online, with thousands expressing anger over the killing of the gentle pet donkey .

"If a cop is afraid of a baby donkey, they should have never signed up," one commenter wrote .

Israel has hired a lawyer and is pursuing legal action . A GoFundMe campaign created in HeeHaw's memory has raised more than $131,000 . Israel said donations will be used for farm animal care and to establish a foundation in HeeHaw's name .

Investigation Continues

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has stated it will investigate the incident "thoroughly and impartially" before making an appropriate recommendation . Authorities have confirmed that body camera footage of the incident exists but have declined to release it while the investigation is ongoing .

The case has also prompted questions about police protocols for entering private property and the use of force against domestic animals .