A overnight search for a missing child in Polk County, Georgia, ended in tragedy and legal controversy when a law enforcement officer shot and killed a beloved farm animal. The incident, which occurred on the grounds of Elsberry Riding and Farm near Cedartown, resulted in the death of Hee-Haw, a one-year-old miniature donkey.
The Search and the Incident
Late Sunday night, emergency personnel, bloodhound handlers, and search teams were dispatched to locate a missing 12-year-old girl. The search trail led officers to a gated pasture on Grady Road, managed by farm owner Hannah Israel. Citing the urgency of locating the missing minor, law enforcement personnel entered the private property to trace the bloodhound’s tracking path.
According to an incident report completed by Cedartown Police Officer Trenton Garner, the search team encountered livestock inside the pasture. Officer Garner reported that as the team moved along the fence line, several horses startled and ran across the field. Shortly after, a miniature donkey approached the officers and the handler’s tracking dog at high speed.
Officer Garner stated that another officer attempted to deter the animal by activating a Taser arc. When the donkey continued advancing, Officer Garner drew his service weapon—a department-issued Glock 17—and fired a single shot to protect the K-9 handler and search dog from potential injury. The wounded donkey turned away before collapsing on the hillside.
Shortly after the incident, search crews safely located the missing 12-year-old girl nearby at a local church down the road.
Conflicting Perspectives and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting has sparked intense grief and public dispute regarding animal behavior and law enforcement force protocols. Hannah Israel, who bottle-raised Hee-Haw from the age of one hour, rejected any characterization of the donkey as an aggressive animal. Israel explained that Hee-Haw was heavily socialized, routinely interacted with children at petting zoos, and often slept in her home during infancy. According to Israel, donkeys naturally run toward humans to greet them or alert owners to strangers, rather than to attack.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsom expressed sadness over the event, describing it as a heartbreaking situation for both the community and the officers involved. Existing body-camera footage recorded by responding personnel, as well as aerial footage captured by a search drone operated by local firefighters, has been preserved for review.
Officer Trenton Garner has been placed on paid administrative leave pending a formal review. The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division is currently conducting an independent investigation into the incident to determine whether department policies and state law were upheld. Meanwhile, Israel has retained legal representation and launched a public campaign to seek accountability for the loss of her pet.
Source: Compiled from various sources
