Angelique the Donkey Killed by Hunter’s Bullet at South Carolina Animal Rescue
Beloved Donkey Angelique Shot Dead at Animal Rescue — Hunter Claims He Was Aiming at a Deer
A beloved donkey named Angelique has been killed by a gunshot at an animal rescue in South Carolina, leaving the people who cared for her devastated and raising serious concerns about hunting safety near homes and animal enclosures.
The incident happened on October 11, 2026, at Hasty’s Haven in Belton, South Carolina. According to reports, a hunter told authorities that he had fired at a deer but missed, and the bullet struck Angelique on a neighboring property.
Angelique was not just another animal at the rescue. She had lived there for around five years alongside three other donkeys. The group had previously worked as therapy animals for children with special needs and later helped the rescue with educational activities and community events.
Joann Kelly, the rescue’s founder, described Angelique as gentle and quiet. She said the loss had deeply affected the staff and that the remaining donkeys had become unusually clingy since the shooting.
The tragedy also raised fears about the safety of the people at the property. Kelly pointed out that volunteers, children and family members regularly visit the rescue, and the same bullet could potentially have struck a person.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources charged the hunter with negligent use of a firearm and hunting within 300 yards of a residence. Officials stressed that hunters must positively identify their targets, understand what lies beyond them and ensure they are firing in a safe direction.
The rescue has questioned the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but the hunter’s account and the legal case will need to be assessed through the appropriate process.
For the people who cared for Angelique, no investigation can bring her back. They hope, however, that her death will serve as a warning about the consequences of careless firearm use.
