Prosecutor Clears Officer in HeeHaw Donkey Shooting

Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jaeson Smith concluded that Garner should not face animal cruelty charges for killing the one-year-old donkey. Garner was helping Polk County police search for a missing child when officers entered a pasture in Cedartown. The child was later found at a nearby church.

In the district attorney’s findings, witnesses described HeeHaw as having a history of biting and charging people. Smith said the evidence backed officers’ accounts that they believed they faced an immediate threat, and that Garner acted reasonably to protect others. The findings drew primarily on an inquiry by the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s unit responsible for law enforcement.

An incident account said a K-9 handler tried to deter HeeHaw with a taser after the donkey charged. Garner then fired one shot, saying he was protecting himself, the handler and the bloodhounds. Garner was placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, is suing Garner in federal court, alleging an unlawful farm search and the unjustified death of a harmless pet. Her attorney said the shooting was unjustified and that the legal effort to hold those involved accountable would continue. The attorney also said Israel had not received official court documents confirming the decision not to charge Garner.

Smith said threats against people involved in the case, as well as others, had been sent to federal justice officials and the local federal prosecutor’s office for review. Israel has raised more than $100,000 through an online fundraiser, saying donations would support the farm, its animals and a HeeHaw foundation.

Donkey Shooting Cleared by Prosecutor, But Accountability Fight Continues

A prosecutor’s decision not to charge Officer Trenton Garner does not settle the central question raised by HeeHaw’s killing: whether the officer’s use of deadly force against a pet donkey was justified. The Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit district attorney concluded Garner was legally justified in shooting the one-year-old animal during an August 29 search for a missing child in Cedartown.

District Attorney Jaeson Smith said witnesses described HeeHaw as having bitten and charged people, and that officers felt in immediate danger. His findings relied primarily on a state agriculture department investigation. An incident account said a K-9 handler first tried to stop the donkey with a taser, after which Garner fired one shot.

HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, disputes that account’s conclusion. Her attorney called the killing unjustified and said Israel’s federal civil lawsuit, alleging an unlawful farm search and unjustified killing, would continue. The attorney also said Israel had not received official court documentation confirming the decision not to charge Garner.

The criminal decision leaves the civil case as the route Israel’s legal team is pursuing for accountability. Smith also said threats made against people connected to the incident had been sent to federal authorities for review.

Prosecutor Finds Officer Was Justified in Fatal Donkey Shooting

A prosecutor has concluded that Officer Trenton Garner acted reasonably when he fatally shot HeeHaw while helping search for a missing child in Cedartown. The decision recognizes the danger officers said they faced during the August 29 search and rejects criminal charges against Garner.

District Attorney Jaeson Smith said witnesses described the one-year-old donkey as having a history of biting and charging people. His findings, based mainly on a state agriculture department investigation, said officers feared they might suffer serious bodily harm. An incident account said a K-9 handler tried using a taser before Garner fired one shot to protect the team.

HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, and her attorney reject the prosecutor’s conclusion and are continuing a federal lawsuit. The suit alleges Garner unlawfully searched the farm and unjustifiably killed a harmless pet. Her attorney said Israel had not received official court documents confirming the decision not to charge.

The criminal review found no basis for animal cruelty charges, while the civil case remains ongoing. Smith said threats connected to the incident had been sent to federal authorities for review.