Family make emotional plea after beloved donkey 'HeeHaw' was fatally shot by police as case update emerges
After a family's beloved donkey named 'HeeHaw' was fatally shot by Georgia police over the weekend, they have made a devastating plea to get 'justice' for their beloved pet.
A Facebook post shared by the animal's owner, Hannah Israel, to the Elsberry Riding and Farm Facebook page last week (30 August) explained how a 'Polk County cop KILLED my baby donkey!'
"At 12:45am cops entered my pasture searching for a missing person WITHOUT permission or warning and shot and killed my bottle raised BABY donkey," the post read.
"They claimed he ran up to them braying and they thought they were in danger and shot and killed him after trying to tase him.
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"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. There is no way this is legal! I will be taking legal action."
The statement concluded: "Share this everywhere and get justice for HeeHaw. We are heartbroken, he was my SON!!"
Israel included four photos of Hee-Haw, including one of her kneeling next to the fallen animal at night.
Israel has since set up a GoFundMe titled 'HeeHaw the donkey' which has already raised $120,054 of $30K USD.
The fundraiser, which has now been paused, reads: "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 will be using any donations left for the farm, care of the animals, a fund for making a HeeHaw foundation and none of it for our personal needs. This is not a payday for us. Thank y'all so much for your support."
Local outlet CVN reports that a Georgia police officer has since been placed on leave following last week's incident with Jamie Newsome, the Cedartown, Georgia, Police Department Chief, adding that an inquiry was also underway.
Following major backlash online, the Polk County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office has since issued an official statement saying that its officers were not involved.
However, the Sheriff's Office did state that law enforcement personnel from the separate police departments of Polk County and Cedartown were involved in the animal's death.
"We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement reads. "We understand the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred."
Tyla has reached out to the Polk County Police Department for comment.
Rhiannon Ingle