Cedartown Officer on Leave After Shooting Donkey During Search

A Cedartown Police Department officer has been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of a donkey during an active search operation.

According to a statement from the department, the incident occurred late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. The officer was assisting the Polk County Police Department in searching for a missing child. During the search, the officer shot and killed a donkey named Hee Haw while the animal was inside its own pasture.

The department confirmed that it has requested an independent investigation into the incident. The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Law Enforcement Division is conducting the inquiry.

The involved officer remains on administrative leave pending the final results of the independent investigation. Officials asked the public for patience while the review is completed.