Cedartown Family Demands Answers After Police Shoot Pet Donkey

A Cedartown family is calling for accountability after a police officer shot and killed their pet donkey overnight while searching a property for a missing person. Owner Hannah Israel said officers entered her pasture around 12:45 a.m. without permission or warning during the search. She said her donkey, named HeeHaw, ran toward the officers while braying, and that they told her they felt threatened. According to Israel, officers first tried to subdue the animal with a Taser before one of them opened fire, killing HeeHaw. Israel said the donkey had been bottle-raised by her family and lived essentially as a member of the household. HeeHaw had previously worked at Elsberry Riding and Farm, appearing in petting zoos before joining Israel's family. "He was my SON," Israel wrote in a social media post following the shooting. The City of Cedartown confirmed the shooting occurred and said the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. City officials have not released further details, citing the ongoing review. Israel said she intends to pursue legal action over the incident, and a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover related legal costs. The family's account has not been independently verified.