Cedartown Police Chief Newsome public address on the shooting of Hee Haw the pet donkey. @CityofCedartown pic.twitter.com/CHhOH3f9zz
— Dominick Izzo (@CopTalkLIVE) September 1, 2026
A Cedartown, Georgia, police officer has been placed on administrative leave after fatally shooting a family’s pet miniature donkey while officers were searching for a missing child on private property in Polk County.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday, August 30, at Elsberry Riding and Farm near Rockmart, Georgia, according to the animal’s owner and local reporting. Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome has since confirmed that a Cedartown officer shot and killed the donkey, identified by his owners as HeeHaw, while assisting the Polk County Police Department with the search.
The circumstances immediately preceding the shooting remain under investigation.
Owner Says Officers Entered Pasture Without Warning
Hannah Israel, HeeHaw’s owner, said in a public Facebook post that officers entered the family’s pasture without notifying her or obtaining permission while searching the property.
Israel said officers later told her that HeeHaw approached them while braying and that they believed they were in danger.
According to Israel’s account, officers initially attempted to use a Taser on the donkey before an officer fired a gun, killing him.
Those details represent Israel’s account of what officers reportedly told her and have not been independently established through publicly released body-camera footage or investigative findings. Cedartown authorities have not yet publicly provided a detailed account of the officer’s stated justification for firing the weapon.
HeeHaw Was a One-Year-Old Miniature Donkey
Israel has described HeeHaw as a one-year-old miniature donkey who had been bottle-raised by the family and accustomed to interacting with people.
According to Israel, HeeHaw participated in petting zoos and other interactions with members of the public.
“HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos,” Israel wrote in her initial account of the shooting, describing the animal as friendly with strangers.
Israel has said she considers HeeHaw a member of her family and intends to pursue legal action over his death.
Subscribe on YouTube and join thousands of officers, attorneys, and citizens who follow Cop Talk LIVE for fact-based analysis—not headlines.
▶ Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@CopTalkLIVE
Police Were Searching for Missing Child
Police Chief Jamie Newsome said Cedartown officers were assisting the Polk County Police Department after receiving a request for help locating a missing child.
The search brought officers to the property where HeeHaw was located.
Newsome later confirmed that the missing child was found safe. Other local reporting indicates the child was located at a church near the pasture.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office separately clarified that its deputies were not involved in the shooting.
According to the sheriff’s office, personnel involved in the search were from the Polk County Police Department and Cedartown Police Department.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident,” the sheriff’s office said in its statement. “We understand the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred.”
Cedartown Police Chief Addresses Shooting
Newsome subsequently issued a public statement acknowledging the shooting.
“During that search, it is with a heavy heart that I report a Cedartown police officer shot and killed a donkey that was in its own pasture,” Newsome said.
The chief expressed sympathy for HeeHaw’s owners and said the department understood the emotional impact of the animal’s death.
The officer who fired the shot has not been publicly identified and was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Georgia Department of Agriculture Conducting Independent Investigation
Newsome said he contacted the Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division following the shooting.
The state agency is now conducting an independent investigation into the incident, according to Newsome.
The involvement of the state agency represents an update from the department’s initial announcement that Cedartown command staff had opened an investigation.
Newsome has said the officer will remain on administrative leave while the investigation is pending.
Publicly available reporting also indicates that body-camera footage of the incident exists. Newsome has reportedly reviewed the footage but has declined to publicly describe its contents while the investigation remains active.
Questions Remain About Use of Force
As of September 1, authorities have not publicly released a detailed account establishing:
- How HeeHaw approached the officers immediately before the shooting.
- The distance between the donkey and the officer when the firearm was discharged.
- What specific behavior caused the officer to perceive the animal as a threat.
- Whether a Taser was successfully deployed before the shooting.
- How many shots were fired.
- What the available body-camera footage shows.
- Whether investigators believe the officer’s actions complied with applicable department policy or Georgia law.
No conclusions regarding the legality or policy compliance of the shooting have been publicly announced.
Israel has characterized the officers’ presence on the property as “trespassing,” but that characterization is her allegation. Whether officers were legally authorized to enter the property while conducting the missing-child search has not been established in publicly released investigative findings.
Fundraiser Draws Significant Public Support
Israel established an online fundraiser following HeeHaw’s death as public attention surrounding the case increased.
The fundraiser initially exceeded $35,000 and subsequently grew substantially as the incident received national attention. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that more than $80,000 had been raised within approximately 24 hours, while later reporting indicated the total had exceeded $100,000.
Because fundraising totals can change rapidly, the current amount may be higher.
Israel has said she intends to seek legal action in connection with the shooting.
CLICK HERE to get your copy of
Current Status
As of September 1, 2026:
- HeeHaw was fatally shot by a Cedartown police officer during a search for a missing child.
- The missing child was subsequently located safely.
- The officer who fired the shot has not been publicly identified.
- The officer has been placed on administrative leave.
- The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division is conducting an independent investigation.
- Body-camera footage reportedly exists but has not been publicly released.
- No investigative finding determining whether the shooting was legally justified or consistent with department policy has been publicly announced.
- HeeHaw’s owner has said she intends to pursue legal action.
CopTalkLIVE will update this report if investigative findings, body-camera footage, official reports or additional statements from the agencies involved become publicly available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who shot HeeHaw?
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome has confirmed that a Cedartown police officer shot and killed HeeHaw. The officer’s identity has not been publicly released.
Why were police on the property?
Cedartown officers were assisting the Polk County Police Department with a search for a missing child. Police have said that search brought officers to the area where the shooting occurred. The child was later found safe.
Why did the officer shoot the donkey?
HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, said officers told her the donkey approached them while braying and that they believed they were in danger. Israel said officers attempted to use a Taser before the shooting. Authorities have not yet publicly released their complete account or investigative findings establishing exactly what occurred.
Was the Polk County Sheriff’s Office involved?
No. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office publicly stated that its deputies were not involved. The agency identified the Cedartown Police Department and Polk County Police Department as the agencies involved in the search.
Has the officer been suspended?
The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Authorities have not publicly announced disciplinary findings against the officer.
Is there body-camera footage?
Police Chief Jamie Newsome has reportedly confirmed that body-camera footage exists and that he has reviewed it. The footage has not been publicly released as of September 1.
Who is investigating?
The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division is conducting an independent investigation at the request of Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome.
Has the shooting been ruled unlawful?
No publicly released investigative finding has determined that the shooting was unlawful or that the officer violated department policy. The investigation remains pending.
🚔 JOIN US FOR ROLL CALL
On the first Sunday of every month, Cop Talk LIVE Patreon members meet for an exclusive members-only Roll Call — real conversation, direct access, and discussion you won’t get anywhere else.
👉 CLICK Cop Talk LIVE Patreon today and be part of the next Roll Call.
About The Author
Discover more from Cop Talk LIVE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
