A Georgia police officer shot and killed a beloved baby donkey named HeeHaw after the animal charged toward a K-9 search team looking for a missing 12-year-old girl, according to a police report.

The incident happened late last month in Cedartown as officers searched for the girl, who had been missing from her home for about two hours. HeeHaw’s death has since caused an emotional reaction from the family who raised him and people across the country. The officer involved has been placed on leave while the shooting is investigated.

Cedartown police were called to help with the search on August 29. Officers joined a Polk County Police Department K-9 handler and a bloodhound team from Haralson County. The search took the teams through wooded areas and a pasture as they followed footprints and other signs.

Rockmart Fire Department drone operators also helped search the area from the air.

According to the report, the team was moving along a fence line when several horses in the pasture became frightened. A K-9 handler then spotted HeeHaw on a nearby hill.

Police said the donkey suddenly charged toward the search team.

The Haralson County bloodhound team moved back as the animal approached. A Polk County K-9 handler pulled out a Taser and activated its warning arc in an attempt to scare the donkey away.

But HeeHaw continued moving toward the group.

A Cedartown officer then fired one shot, hitting the donkey.

The report said HeeHaw turned around and ran uphill before collapsing. The officer told dispatch that he fired because he believed the animal could injure the K-9 handler or members of the Haralson County search team.

HeeHaw’s owner, Hannah Israel, told police that the donkey was worth about $6,000. She also said he had been bottle-fed since he was a baby and had never shown aggressive behavior toward people or tried to bite anyone.

The shooting has left Israel and others who knew HeeHaw heartbroken.

Rockmart Fire Department drone operators reportedly witnessed the shooting through their drone camera. However, 11Alive’s request to obtain the footage was denied because the investigation is still ongoing.

The missing girl was eventually found farther down Grady Road, in the same general direction the bloodhound team had been following before encountering HeeHaw.

The officer remains on leave as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the donkey’s death.