“SHE WAS THE GENTLEST DONKEY” — ANGELIQUE KILLED BY A HUNTER’S BULLET AT ANIMAL RESCUE, LEAVING STAFF HEARTBROKEN

Angelique had spent years helping bring comfort to children with special needs. Now, the beloved donkey is gone after a hunter reportedly fired at a deer and missed, prompting charges and a plea for greater responsibility.

A beloved donkey named Angelique has died after being struck by a bullet at an animal rescue in South Carolina, leaving the people who cared for her devastated.

Angelique lived at Hasty’s Haven in Belton, where she had become part of a small herd of donkeys known for their gentle nature. On Sunday, October 11, the first day of deer hunting season, she was fatally shot while inside her enclosure.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the hunter told investigators he had fired at a deer but missed, and the stray bullet struck Angelique.

The man has been charged with negligent use of a firearm and hunting within 300 yards of a residence. Authorities have not publicly identified him, and the charges have not been resolved in court.

“She was just the gentlest, quietest one”

For Joann Kelly, the founder of Hasty’s Haven, Angelique’s death has been devastating.

Kelly told local media that the donkey had lived at the rescue for around five years. She was part of a group of four donkeys that had previously worked as therapy animals for children with special needs.

At the rescue, Angelique and her companions also helped with community events and educational activities. Their calm, welcoming personalities made them special to the people who visited.

Kelly described Angelique as the gentlest and quietest of the group. Since her death, the remaining donkeys have seemed unusually clingy, a change that has added to the sadness felt by their caregivers.

For the people at Hasty’s Haven, Angelique was not simply another animal in their care. She was a familiar presence who had become part of their daily lives.

A tragedy that could have endangered people, too

The rescue’s grief has been accompanied by serious concerns about safety.

According to Kelly, Angelique was in an open area of her pen when she was hit. The property includes the rescue’s home, animal enclosures and spaces regularly used by volunteers and visiting children.

Kelly said the thought that someone else could have been struck by the bullet was particularly frightening.

The rescue also shared a statement on social media questioning the circumstances described by the hunter. Its message stressed that, regardless of what the hunter intended to hit, firing in the direction of an occupied animal enclosure and nearby home had devastating consequences.

The rescue said it wished the man no personal ill will but wanted justice and hoped the incident would serve as a warning to others.

Its central message was simple: hunters must know their target, understand what lies beyond it and be aware of the people and animals nearby.

Authorities issue a warning about hunting safety

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the hunter had been charged following its investigation.

Officials described the incident as unfortunate and used it to reiterate basic firearm-safety requirements: positively identify a target, understand what is beyond it and ensure that the direction of fire is safe.

Those precautions are especially important in areas where hunting land borders homes, farms or animal enclosures.

Angelique’s death has now become a painful example of the consequences that can follow when a shot misses its intended target.

The rescue hopes the case will encourage hunters to take greater care and prevent another family or animal-care team from experiencing a similar loss.

Remembering the donkey who helped children

Angelique’s story was not defined by the way she died.

Before arriving at Hasty’s Haven, she and the other donkeys in her group had served as therapy animals for children with special needs. At the rescue, they continued to help people through educational activities and community events.

Her gentle temperament made her an important part of that work.

Now, the people who knew her are left with memories of the donkey who welcomed visitors and quietly became part of their lives.

The rescue has encouraged supporters to remember Angelique while allowing its staff and remaining animals time to recover from the shock of her death.

Angelique cannot be brought back. But her rescuers hope that her story will lead to greater care, safer decisions and a future in which no other animal suffers the same fate.

Sources

• PEOPLE — “Gentlest” Donkey Called Angelique Shot Dead at Animal Rescue
• WYFF — South Carolina family mourns donkey killed by hunter
• FOX Carolina — Hunter charged after pet donkey is shot and killed
• WBTV — Pet donkey killed in reported hunting accident