A Georgia officer is facing backlash after allegedly entering a family’s property without permission and shooting their pet donkey.
Hannah Israel had raised her donkey, HeeHaw since it was a baby and over time he became a beloved member of her family in Rockmart, Georgia.
HeeHaw was known around the community too, having done petting zoo appearances.
That all changed on the night of August 30, when officers entered the property she keeps at Elsberry Riding & Farm while searching for a missing person, without notifying the family or asking permission.
What happened the night HeeHaw died
According to Hannah, the officers encountered HeeHaw around 12:45 a.m. Police say the donkey ran toward them, braying, and that they attempted to use a Taser on him before ultimately shooting him.
Hannah didn’t hold back sharing her devastation online.
“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,” she wrote on Facebook.
She pushed back hard on the idea that the shooting was justified, saying HeeHaw was only doing what donkeys naturally do: alerting to the presence of a stranger.
“We are heartbroken,” she wrote. “He was my son.”
A fundraiser that grew far beyond expectations
Hannah set up a GoFundMe to help cover legal fees and start a foundation in HeeHaw’s name, initially hoping to raise $30,000. The response was overwhelming. As of now, the fundraiser has brought in more than $113,250.
She later posted an update thanking supporters, not just for donations, but for sharing her story, making merchandise, and reaching out directly. She clarified that the lawyer she’s hired won’t be paid using GoFundMe funds, and that anyone who donated specifically toward legal costs can request a refund.
The remaining money, she said, will go toward the farm, the animals living there, and the HeeHaw foundation.
“None of it for our personal needs,” she wrote. “This is not a pay day for us. Heehaws life has no monetary value.”
Why the police entered the property
The police department involved hasn’t publicly addressed the family’s account of what happened, the incident remains under investigation. Officials in Cedartown confirmed that the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office clarified that its own officers weren’t involved in the incident but offered condolences all the same, saying, “We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident.”
Hannah’s decision to pursue legal action has received a lot of positive feedback with many pointing out that officers should be prepared to handle encounters with animals without shooting them.
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