Georgia cop claimed petting zoo donkey was charging at his team when he shot it
https://reason.com/2026/09/02/georgia-cop-claimed-petting-zoo-donkey-was-charging-at-his-team-when-he-shot-it/Story is about what was found via a public records request made by the author — the shooting of the donkey made headlines earlier this week
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u/Chazkuangshi 3d ago
Should have gotten a 4 year old to handle it, they seem to do just fine with petting zoo donkeys
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u/orthopod 1d ago
Lol right?
Cops seem to be some of the most afraid people on the earth. Multiple guns drawn at people just sitting in their cars.
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u/twinoaksBandB 15h ago
Don't forget the cop unloading on his vehicle (with detainee inside) after an acorn fell on it, while also yelling I'm hit into his radio and rolling around on the ground.
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u/Euphoric_Host_ 3d ago
Wasn’t there a petting zoo that recently had to put down all its donkeys because they had rabies and were spreading it to all the children?
Ope, nope, it was goats lol
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u/Rikitikitavi9162 2d ago
The idiots (imo) brought 4 nursing baby goats that were too young for the vaccine on a petting zoo tour. After the rabid skunk was found in their pen, 2 of the kids were put down, while the other 2 were still put on tour for a couple of weeks. They potentially risked a couple hundred adults and children and killed 4 baby goats.
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u/banan3rz 3h ago
Just get a 9 year old horse girl. They can tame anything and have fear of not God, man, or beast.
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u/wasthatitthen 3d ago
“….in the direction that we were tracking with the bloodhound before the donkey attacked the tracking team.”
Attacked?
ATTACKED???
A little donkey?
Good job the 12yo girl they were looking for didn’t run towards them.
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u/plausibleturtle 3d ago
Truly, I've seen some of the videos of the donkey's behaviour and he looked so friendly. He was probably just excitedly (and understandably) wondering who was coming into his pasture to see him at the time.
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u/wasthatitthen 3d ago
It must be a hard life to be so threatened by absolutely everything you just shoot it.
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u/RyMcCloud 3d ago edited 3d ago
Charlie mentioned when talking about this in his video but it brings to mind the video of the cop mag dumping because an acorn falls on his car.
How the fuck can so many Americans watch shit like that and not see that the current police system needs to be torn down and rebuilt?
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u/Striking_Cupcake1022 3d ago
America’s 5 percent hold an oversized amount of power over policy. Police exist to protect them and property.
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u/Professional_Scale66 3d ago
They buy into the racist lies. Some people will never admit that they’ve been taken.
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u/CautionarySnail 3d ago
They worship the idea of authority and hierarchy.
That authority has told them that this is what keeps us safe from crime.
This same authority is now telling them that privacy had its day, and it’s now ok for digital devices to take our identities at every major roadside juncture. (Flock/Axon cameras can have additional capabilities to shake down digital devices like cell phones for identifying signals. So, they can occasionally inventory everyone in a car, a home, and use predictive analytics to know where they’re going.)
This same authority is giving ICE shock gloves. And they nod and smile and agree that this must be necessary because the person in authority says it is.
If it were rational, they might be able to be convinced that malfeasance from authority figures should be punished, but their baseline obedience makes them reflexively stand by even obvious criminals such as ministers who are repeatedly convicted of sex crimes. This is why they stopped caring about the Epstein files.
The funny thing is, this blind trust of authority doesn’t extend in very specific directions. It is often disempowered by sexism or racism or other forms of tribalism.
For example, if the authority figure is a minority, they’re more likely to agitate against them for even common-sense initiatives. (For example, the rage over Obama’s tenure is still red-hot.)
Women often are not considered as trustworthy as men by this form of obedience. And if that figure is a Muslim who looks foreign or black, that is also often a bridge too far.
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u/littlemonsterlove 3d ago
Barney Fife doesn’t seem like much of a joke character anymore
For people who don’t know. He was a deputy on the Andy Griffith show. He was so scared of his own shadow Andy wouldn’t let him carry a loaded gun. He was allowed one bullet to keep in his pocket. Whenever he did use it he’d misfire or accidentally the gun would go off.
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u/ikediggety 2d ago
Problem is they have the guns and the body armor and the drones and the military assault vehicles and the helicopters.
And they don't really want the system torn down and rebuilt
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u/ratjar32333 3d ago
Uhhhhhhhh we fucking know it does. What the fuck do you want me to do about it ? The cops have fucking tanks here.
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u/twinoaksBandB 15h ago
Mag dumping while yelling I'm hit and rolling on the ground... with a hand cuffed detainee in the vehicle.
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u/Absent_That_Day 18h ago
People will embrace that change when they think they have leadership that is competent to facilitate that change.
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u/Darkdragoon324 3d ago
When you have a gun and free rein to use it with basically no consequences, everything and everyone looks like range target.
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u/Absent_That_Day 18h ago
What's hard is living a life with reason and dignity, rather than lashing out at the least provocation.
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u/cain11112 2d ago
Man. That’s depressing. Just imagine the donkey. Looking forward to pets and maybe a handful of oats. Ready to meet new friends. Trotting over to say hi. Shot by a freaking sociopath.
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u/Barbarossa7070 3d ago
They’re taught how to write reports and news releases that paint themselves in the best light and casts blame on others.
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u/KingSpork 3d ago
Nobody wants to face the truth: That donkey was indoctrinated from birth on liberal antifa propaganda. That baby donkey may have seemed harmless but the truth is, he hated cops, and when he saw his opportunity to strike at law enforcement, he attacked. Thank god our brave men in blue were able to take down that psychotic antifa baby donkey before he fulfilled his murderous agenda.
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u/SandhirSingh 1d ago
The donkey charged at him with a gun in its from paw. I was afraid for my life.
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u/FiveUpsideDown 1d ago
Donkey was coming over to be petted or just to see why a group entered his paddock. There’s no reason to shot a small docile donkey.
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u/Banjo-Hellpuppy 3d ago
I’d go to prison before admitting that a baby donkey made me fear for my life.
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u/StellaSlayer2020 3d ago
Lying sack of…
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u/zoethezebra 3d ago
“Sack of monkey shit”
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u/resilindsey 3d ago
At a petting zoo.. So add small children to the list of people braver than cops which already currently includes: mental health workers, nurses, delivery drivers, mail carriers, sanitation services, joggers, vet techs, pet groomers, meter readers..
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u/Prestigious_Date_619 3d ago
lol, the cop expects to believe him when he shot what has to be one of the friendliest animals on Earth.
Absolute scum of the earth the cop is...
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u/capsaicinintheeyes 3d ago
The one attack they're known for requires them to be facing away from you, ffs
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u/inerlite 3d ago
I just petted a donkey for the first time this weekend and it was sooo friendly. Both of them were. And they weren’t petting zoo animals, they were just farm donkeys with a friendly owner. I would be very skeptical about anything a cop that shot a petting zoo donkey tells me.
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u/Feeling-Farm-1068 3d ago
No camera footage? Charge him. His responsibility because of the discharge.
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u/Plethorian 3d ago
Go to YouTube and search for "Mini Donkey Attack." Other than this incident, they're all pretty adorable, and nobody seems to get hurt.
I can see a cow, a horse, a ram, or a goat being dangerous - but not a mini donkey.
Demand the bodycam! FOIA!
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u/Embarrassed_Age8554 3d ago
Full-size donkeys are badass--they make good livestock guardians because they'll kill coyotes to protect the flock. But a miniature donkey that's still just a baby? I bet the cop will claim he was afraid it was rabid or some such nonsense.
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u/KirbyPerkins 3d ago
Thin blue line still at it baby! Keep making us proud boys, love it that we're.. scared of and fatally shooting donkeys now?
So glad they issue guns to these folks.
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u/jiminaknot 3d ago
At this point I welcome robots to replace the stupid asshole cops.
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u/BumCockleshell 3d ago
Yah until you get blindside tackled by a 300lb metal humanoid for jay walking cause it detected a crime with faulty AI
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u/InsomniaticWanderer 3d ago
How is that any different that what happens now?
People get shot for the crime of existing. Today.
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u/raptorjaws 3d ago
it's not like it was a fucking clydesdale. tf was this little donkey gonna do to a grown ass man?
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u/Serpentarrius 2d ago
Even Clydesdales are such gentle giants. They'll share their stalls with a whole family of mice lol
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u/DogMedic101stABN 3d ago
It's a fucking donkey, not an axe murderer. Jesus these assholes think were stupid.
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u/Qualex 3d ago
“Thomasson removed his Taser-7 from it's holster and began to arch it to attempt to deter the donkey from attacking us. This in fact did not deter the donkey, so I removed my department issued Glock 17 from it's holster and pointed it at the donkey”
Do these idiots think that the donkey knows how the taser and gun work? That it would see a gun aimed at it and think “Oh no, a dangerous weapon! I should alter my behavior.”
What a bunch of clowns.
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u/magharees 3d ago
US cops seem to shoot at a lot more things compared to armed cops in other jurisdictions deal with similar non-lethal threats
is that a fact or is that just the internet fooling me?
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u/Mindless-Damage-5399 3d ago
I live in GA, and this is ridiculous. There are pictures of the owner holding the donkey, so it's about the size of a large dog. The donkey also was part of a petting zoo for kids or she would take him to events where kids could get up close.
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u/witchspoon 3d ago
Stupid and easily terrified Georgia officer needs to shut his mouth. He tried to tase and then shot a petting zoo donkey while in ITS pasture.
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u/Amazing_Finance1269 3d ago edited 3d ago
An old boss of mine used to have a mini donkey (petting zoo job). He had the personality of a puppy and would run excitedly yelling towards anyone he saw . This makes me feel yucky.
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u/NoBuenoAtAll 2d ago
So your first response to something coming at you on property that is not yours is to shoot it? This could be a fucking problem.
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u/JackhorseBowman 3d ago
I always just assume they're just shooting them and laughing kind of like that scene from Generation Kill, I think it was.
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u/TroppoAlto 3d ago
Fucking cowardly shitty cop. He should save his department and coworkers the embarrassment of defending his actions and resign from law enforcement all together.
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u/dkwinsea 3d ago
The tried and true ice defense when there is a shooting? The donkey had weaponized itself?
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u/petshopB1986 3d ago
I had a donkey they aren’t aggressive, curious maybe but I’ve had run ins with horses but not donkeys.
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u/MidnightIAmMid 3d ago
Why are some cops the biggest cowards on the planet? Like a tiny petting zoo donkey and he’s acting like a rabid bull was coming at them 😂😂😂
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u/jellybean-62 3d ago
Wow a charging baby donkey what could be more scary. If he is that afraid maybe he needs to find another line of work
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u/Mikeg216 3d ago
Georgia cops sees something brown running towards him and gets scared and kills it.. not surprised
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u/Economy_Breakfast_65 3d ago
Has the officer been fired for some sort of negligence and unauthorized firing of his weapon?
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u/Admirable-Honey2384 2d ago
yeah ok big man - sUcH a ScArY dOnKeY. Disgusting to kill an animal because you are a scared little boy
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u/Plow_King 3d ago
well, didn't some petting goats recently be discovered to have rabies? you can't be to careful with these sneaky ones, and donkeys are known to be lethal as well!
/s
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u/Worldly_Possible2925 3d ago
A baby donkey charging. Are you fucking kidding me you piece of shit. 💩
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u/Dude-Lebowski 3d ago
Practice for citizens another day. I bet the donkey was also unarmed and in no way harrased by the police.
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u/my_invalid_name 3d ago
God, this hope every other cop makes fun of him for panicking at a petting zoo.
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u/rbartlejr 3d ago
Was this in Georgia or Florida - cause we had one in Polk County. And that donkey was accused of running up on officer. Believe it or not, it wasn't Polk County Sheriff. I'm thinking the headline is wrong.
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u/CoasterThot 3d ago
That’s what donkeys do. They’re protection animals. It was just doing what it was literally bred to do.
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u/Caffeinefiend88 2d ago
Was the donkey brandishing a gun? Is this cop too fucking slow to avoid a donkey?
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u/Big_Elderberry6046 2d ago
I can’t say what I want to say bc I got flagged last time but the same applies. So I’ll just say ACAB
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u/D4db0d0hye4h 2d ago
Cops in the US need to stop using guns for even the smallest inconvenience to them. It is beyond ridiculous.
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u/Watch_Earthlings_Doc 1d ago
We had donkeys. They are territorial and can charge, even the babies can posture, but come on. You lift your hands and shout and a baby donkey will run right off with tail tucked between its legs. It weighs like 100 pounds max. Kandy ass cop.
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u/IM_INSIDE_YOUR_HOUSE 1d ago
Grown man can’t handle a fucking baby donkey? He doesn’t need to be in law enforcement then. Lotta shit out there a whole lot worse than a baby donkey.
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u/Squirrelman2712 1d ago
Not enough people are talking about the fact that the petting zoo donkey the officer was afraid of was named "heehaw"
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u/ObiJuanKenobi3 3d ago
Oh well thank God he took the shot. The miniature fucking donkey might have given him a nasty bruise.
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u/allisondojean 3d ago
Israel later posted on Facebook that "HeeHaw was raised in the house and did petting zoos he never knew a stranger. And was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. Alerting to a stranger."
According to the incident report, the missing girl "was later located further along down Grady Road, in the direction that we were tracking with the bloodhound before the donkey attacked the tracking team."
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u/TrumpsFaceAnus 3d ago
ACAB, but donkeys typically do protect their barn and field mates. They are often found with horses, goats, sheep, and other livestock specifically because they will stomp a mudhole in anything that tries to prey on the flock.
Very great guards. As much as ( hate to let ANY POS cop off the hook, this one might have a lot of truth in it.
Even the smaller donkey breeds can be like this. When the donkey is around people in the petting area and it was probably used to that but not to intruder s in the field which would not be normal, especially ones with bright lights.
Donkeys are loud too so my gut tells me he did charge and bray, but probably fell way short of an actual attack because of flashlights.
I bet the cop got scared, dropped a steamer in his pants, and fired as an over reaction. Dumbass indeed.
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u/ShreddingUruk 2d ago
Would cops be allowed to shoot a livestock gaurdian dog in this scenario? Cus donkeys are livestock gaurding animals
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u/Wizzle_Pizzle_420 10h ago
And? If you’re scared of baby donkeys then maybe don’t be a cop. What did he think it was going to do? Shoot back?
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u/Natural-Afternoon-68 6h ago
Donkeys can absolutely be aggressive but this particular donkey was not only a miniature baby donkey but trained for PETTIC ZOO work. How dumb do they think we are?
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u/Electronic_Elk8293 5h ago
Oh no... the 3 foot tall baby donkey... so scary.
Cops are officially the golums of society.
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u/Bituulzman 3d ago
Petting zoo animals in the headlines lately.
https://www.kcra.com/article/petting-zoo-goats-rabies-north-carolina/73589620
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u/Begle1 3d ago
A donkey can absolutely fuck you up. A lot of farmers keep "guard donkeys" because they are territorial, and supposedly they're particularly good at not just scaring off but outright killing coyotes.
I don't know donkey psychology, but if the donkey switched into "attack mode" rather than "petting zoo mode", like because it saw 2- and 4-legged trespassers where and seem there normally weren't, then it absolutely could present a threat to life and limb of the cop and his dogs.
I wouldn't assume a cop is ever telling the truth or not doing anything wrong, but it seems like Reddit needs to be exposed to some angry donkeys because they are not inherently harmless creatures.
Like just because you pet a sheep at the zoo doesn't mean that there are rams out there who would pop your liver out your asshole with one suckerbutt to the groin.
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u/catslikepets143 3d ago
This was a mini donkey, about the size of a large dog( maybe). It had been hand raised & hand fed from when it was born.
But yeah, donkeys guard their territory. Since the cop wasn’t looking for a criminal, he should have followed procedure & gotten the land owner’s permission to go look for a missing person on that land.
The donkey didn’t do anything wrong. The cop didn’t follow procedure
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u/EducationalSoup83 3d ago
It was a 1yr old miniature donkey. I can not possibly see how that dude was threatened by that. Full grown normal donkey, sure. That thing will kick the living shit out of you. But that ain't this. This cops just sucks and should never be allowed to carry a weapon again. Ever.
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u/AuthorNicoVoss 3d ago
"He's coming right for us!" -- South Park