Officer shoots baby donkey during search

On August 30, Georgia police officer Trenton Ryan Garner shot and killed HeeHaw, a young miniature donkey, while searching for a missing 12-year-old girl on Hannah Israel's farm in Rockmart.

Police entered farm without permission

Officers entered Israel's enclosed pasture between 10:30 p.m. on August 29 and 1 a.m. on August 30 without contacting her, asking permission, or obtaining a warrant, the lawsuit alleges.

HeeHaw was bottle-raised and gentle

HeeHaw was a young, small, and tranquil donkey that had been bottle-raised and was comfortable around people, including participating in petting zoos, according to the lawsuit.

“HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos and was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do.”

Officer claims donkey charged at him

Officer Garner reported that HeeHaw charged at officers on a hill, and after a Taser failed to scare him away, Garner fired one shot to protect the K-9 handler and bloodhound team.

Owner had to search for donkey's body

Officers left the property without telling Israel where HeeHaw's body was located. She received only a call saying a donkey had been "dispatched" and had to search several acres in the dark to find him.

Lawsuit filed in federal court

Israel filed suit on September 11 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, seeking financial compensation, punitive damages, legal costs, and a jury trial.

Officer placed on administrative leave

Officer Garner was placed on administrative leave while the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division investigates the incident. The shooting gained widespread attention after Israel posted about it on social media.