Barrow sheriff's office investigating shooting of donkey

WINDER, Ga. (AP) -- Sheriff's investigators in Winder are trying to find out who shot and killed a donkey on a Barrow County farm.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports ( http://bit.ly/1j7TgsJ ) Todd Garrett's donkey, named Bonnie, was shot under the neck on his family farm by someone using a high-powered rifle over the weekend.

Sheriff Judd Smith says the donkey appears to have been shot from a distance by somebody who knew where to place a killing shot, such as an experienced hunter. He also says it's possible the shooter mistook the donkey for a deer. That would still be illegal because it's not deer hunting season.

Smith says the shooter could face a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty for killing the donkey. He says, "It's not just cruel, it's mean."