The officer who fatally shot a miniature donkey, Hee Haw, will not face criminal charges.
“We investigated ourselves and found we did nothing wrong!”
I’ve been following this story for a while and it’s so disturbing. When the bodycam footage got released it was heartbreaking. There was zero need to use deadly force.
"Our battle for accountability will continue."
That is the message from HeeHaw's owner's legal team after prosecutors decided the officer who fatally shot the one-year-old miniature donkey will not face criminal charges.
For Hannah Israel, HeeHaw was a beloved pet. She describes him as tranquil and harmless, and her lawyers continue to dispute that his death was necessary.
District Attorney Jaeson Smith reached a different conclusion. His review found that Cedartown officer Trenton Garner was legally justified in firing during a search for a missing child and that the evidence did not warrant animal cruelty charges.
Smith accepted that officers believed they faced an immediate threat. He also cited witness accounts alleging previous biting and charging incidents involving HeeHaw. Those accounts conflict with Hannah's description of her donkey.
The child was later found safe at a church near the pasture.
But the prosecutor's decision is not the end of the legal dispute. Hannah is pursuing a separate federal civil rights lawsuit alleging an unlawful search of her farm and the wrongful killing of HeeHaw. These are contested allegations, and the decision against criminal charges does not determine the outcome of that case.
Her attorney, Chris McCormick, said his team supports law enforcement while also expecting accountability. He challenged the justification for the shooting and argued that officers serving rural communities should have a better understanding of animals.
His statement leaves no doubt about the team's intention: they will continue pursuing the civil case.
For people who have followed HeeHaw's story, the photographs of this little donkey are a reminder of the animal at the centre of the arguments. For his owner, the loss remains, regardless of the prosecutor's conclusion.
The criminal review has ended without charges. The civil fight continues.
Do you believe more animal-handling training could help prevent tragedies like this?
#HeeHaw #JusticeForHeeHaw #AnimalWelfare #DonkeyLove #Accountability
YO @Justice4HeeHaw
Can you get in touch with Emily and help her with funds to get this done
The token has raised a lot of additional money recently and these are the type of things you should be helping with if all the funds aren't immediately going to Hannah
BREAKING NEWS: According to WSB-TV Channel 2, which confirmed the decision with the district attorney, Officer Trenton Garner has been cleared of criminal liability in HeeHaw’s shooting.
I know how painful and frustrating this is for everyone who has been following HeeHaw’s story. I want to make one thing clear: this decision is about criminal charges. It does not end Hannah’s civil lawsuit. Hannah has already filed her case against Garner. He has asked the court to dismiss it, but that is a separate decision for the judge to make.
HeeHaw was Hannah’s family. I keep thinking about what she has gone through since losing him, and I hope people will continue to stand beside her as her case moves forward. This is far from over.
I’ll do everything I can to keep HeeHaw’s story in front of people. I’ll keep writing songs about him, and I’m looking into getting my music onto iTunes and Spotify so those songs can reach more people. I don’t want HeeHaw to be forgotten when the headlines move on.
Please express how you feel. I understand the anger and heartbreak. Just please keep it peaceful in the comments. We can stand up for HeeHaw and Hannah together. 📷📷
Source: WSB-TV Channel 2, November 3, 2026
wsbtv.com/.../off.../VTFXSLE…
#JusticeForHeeHaw #HeeHaw #StandWithHannah #RememberHeeHaw #AnimalAdvocacy #HeeHawsStory #Cedartown #TrentonGarner #BreakingNews
Source: Emily Stone Harris
In memory of sweet HeeHaw.
Forever in our hearts.
#JusticeForHeeHaw #HeeHawsArmy #NeverForgetHeeHaw #AnimalAdvocacy
Replying to @GovernorVA
You're letting dead dogs vote, no one can take you serious










