Donkey killed in Polk County; Dept. of Agriculture joins investigation
Cedartown police shoot and kill donkey in pasture
A Cedartown officer was placed on leave after shooting a farm owner's pet donkey during a missing child search.
POLK COUNTY, Ga. - A Cedartown police officer has been placed on administrative leave after a donkey was fatally shot in Polk County on Sunday.
What we know:
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said command staff launched an investigation into the shooting, placing an unidentified officer on administrative leave.
Elsberry Riding and Farm posted on Facebook that law enforcement searched the property's pasture around 12:45 a.m. Sunday without the owner's permission.
The post claimed officers stated the donkey, named HeeHaw, ran up to them braying before they tried to tase him and then shot him dead.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed its agency was not involved in the shooting, noting the incident involved officers from the Polk County Police Department and the 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 Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
What we don't know:
Officials have not released the identity of the officer who fired the fatal shot or detailed why the animal was perceived as a threat. The City of Cedartown said it is aware of the incident but will not release further information at this time due to the active investigation.
What they're saying:
Farm owner Hannah Israel said officers entered her pasture without asking for permission.
Israel noted it took her family up to 20 minutes to search the pasture and find HeeHaw's body because officers did not direct her to the location.
Israel, who bottle-raised the animal and brought him to local petting zoos, confirmed she hired an attorney and is considering a civil lawsuit.
HeeHaw was fatally shot during a law enforcement investigation in Polk County on August 30, 2026. (Credit: Elsberry Riding and Farm Facebook)
The other side:
Cedartown police said they were on the property searching for a missing 12-year-old.
Chief Newsome said that the missing young girl was found safely, shortly after the donkey was killed and around the area of the pasture.
He added he can't provide further details, but the incident has been turned over to the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division for further review.
"I want a state agency with expertise to handle this that is not from here to get it right," Newsome said.
What you can do:
HeeHaw's owner has set up a GoFundMe for legal fees tied to the incident.
"He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile," the fundraiser's organizer wrote.
To view the GoFundMe, click here.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a statement by Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome to FOX 5 Atlanta, a public Facebook post by Elsberry Riding and Farm, as well as official statements provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.