Georgia Officer Fatally Shoots Donkey

A Georgia police officer has been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old donkey named HeeHaw. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on August 31, 2026, at the Elsberry Riding and Farm ranch in Rockmart, Georgia. Officer Trenton Garner of the Cedartown Police Department stated that he fired a single shot at the donkey after it allegedly charged at him and another officer while they were searching the property for a missing 12-year-old girl. According to an incident report, officers followed a trail of footprints into a pasture used as a petting zoo, where they encountered horses that became spooked. Garner reported that a donkey, later identified as HeeHaw, then began to charge at the officers. He stated that a fellow K9 handler attempted to use a Taser on the animal, but it was unsuccessful. Garner then drew his department-issued firearm and shot the donkey. HeeHaw reportedly ran back up a hill before collapsing and later passing away. The missing girl was subsequently found safe at a nearby church. HeeHaw's owner, Hannah Israel, has presented a significantly different account of the donkey's behavior.