Owners demand answers after beloved family donkey is shot and killed by police

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A Georgia family demands answers after they say cops shot and killed their beloved pet donkey during a search for a missing person over the weekend.

“We are heartbroken,” she added. “He was my SON,” owner Hannah Israel said.

Israel, who lives in Cedartown, about 75 miles northwest of Atlanta, says police entered her pasture without permission around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, WSB-TV Atlanta reported.

The officers, who entered without permission, came face to face with HeeHaw, the family’s donkey.

Police told Israel that her donkey ran straight toward them while braying, or letting out a loud cry. The officers said they believed they were in danger and attempted to use a Taser on the donkey, but eventually shot and killed him.

A Georgia family says their beloved pet donkey was shot and killed during a police search for a missing person (Hannah Israel/Facebook)

Israel said HeeHaw was bottle raised in the family’s home.

“HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos he never knew a stranger,” Israel wrote on Facebook Sunday morning.

She said her beloved pet was “shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. Alerting to a stranger.”

The city of Cedartown confirmed the shooting and said the officer involved, who has not been publicly named, has been placed on leave.

“The Cedartown Police Department is aware of the incident. An investigation is underway, and the officer involved has been placed on leave,” the city said in a statement. City officials have not commented further on the incident.

HeeHaw was bottle fed and raised in the family’s home, Hannah Israel said in a social media post (GoFundMe)

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed its agency was not involved in the shooting, noting it involved officers with the Polk County Police Department and Cedartown Police Department.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. We understand the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred,” the sheriff’s office added.

Israel says she plans to take legal action, and a GoFundMe had been established to help cover the family’s legal fees.

“My bottle baby donkey ‘HeeHaw’ was killed in his own pasture on Saturday night by trespassing cops. He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile. We are raising money to lawyer fees. Anything not used for lawyer will go directly back to the animals care and feed,” the fundraiser reads.

The fundraiser had received over $37,000 in donations as of Monday morning.

It’s unclear if police found the missing person that sparked the investigation.