Cedartown, Georgia — A Georgia police officer says he fatally shot a petting zoo donkey after the animal charged officers and a bloodhound team searching for a missing 12-year-old girl, according to an incident report obtained by Reason.
Cedartown Police Officer Trenton Garner wrote that officers entered a pasture owned by Elsberry Riding and Farm on Aug. 30 because the K-9 team was following a trail during the search.
Garner said horses initially ran away from the officers before a donkey named HeeHaw began charging toward the group. A K-9 handler reportedly attempted to deter the animal by activating a Taser without firing it, but Garner said the donkey continued approaching.
Garner then drew his department-issued Glock 17 and fired one shot, striking the donkey. He wrote that the shooting was necessary to prevent injury to another officer and the K-9 team.
HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, disputes the characterization of the animal as aggressive. She told police the donkey had been bottle-fed since infancy and “would never act aggressive towards anyone.” Israel later wrote on Facebook that HeeHaw regularly participated in petting zoos and was reacting to strangers entering his pasture.
The missing girl was later found farther along the route the bloodhounds had been tracking.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome placed Garner on leave, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s law enforcement division is investigating. Police declined to release additional footage, citing the ongoing investigation.
Sources
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
