A beloved therapy donkey named Angelique has been shot dead by a hunter who claims he was aiming at a deer but missed, sending a bullet into an animal enclosure at a South Carolina sanctuary.
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he → name → sanctuary
The horrifying incident unfolded on Sunday at Hasty's Haven in Anderson County in the northwest section of the state, where the gentle donkey had spent years bringing comfort and happiness to children and visitors.
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donkey → unfold → children
Angelique was killed when a hunter allegedly opened fire just 270 feet from the sanctuary's fence line, with the rescue center claiming the bullet was fired directly toward an enclosure dangerously close to the owners' home.
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bullet → kill → home
The hunter told investigators he had been targeting a deer when his shot went astray and struck the unsuspecting donkey instead.
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shot → tell → donkey
He has since been charged with negligent use of a firearm and hunting within 300 yards of a residence, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
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He → charge → Resources
But for the devastated sanctuary workers who cared for Angelique, the charges have done little to ease their anguish.
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charges → devastate → anguish
The rescue's founder, Joann, described the killing as a nightmare that has left her entire team traumatized.
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that → describe → team
In an emotional Instagram post, Hasty's Haven announced the tragedy and accused the hunter of recklessly endangering not only its animals but potentially the people living nearby.
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Haven → announce → animals
A gentle donkey named Angelique was shot dead at a South Carolina animal sanctuary after a hunter allegedly missed a deer and struck her instead
The sanctuary expressed outrage that the shooting happened on what it described as the very first day of hunting season
The hunter allegedly opened fire just 270 feet from the sanctuary's fence line, sending a bullet toward an enclosure close to the owners' home.
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hunter → name → home
The bullet was later pulled from her body
'
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bullet → pull → body
Our Angelique was taken from us this morning.
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Angelique → take → us
Taken violently and in a criminally negligent manner,' the sanctuary wrote.
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sanctuary → take → manner
This person was hunting 270 feet from our fence line without permission from us and fired directly into the donkey enclosure which is also directly in line with our residence!
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which → hunt → residence
We cannot even begin to process this loss and the danger this presents.
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this → begin → loss
Angelique had arrived at Hasty's Haven several years earlier alongside three other donkeys, all of whom had previously worked as therapy animals helping children with special needs.
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all → arrive → needs
At the sanctuary, the four became treasured members of the rescue's educational programs, regularly interacting with homeschooled volunteers and members of the community.
'They're always the first to greet everyone with their welcoming, gentle nature,' the sanctuary explained.
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sanctuary → become → nature
Her sudden death has left the sanctuary grieving an animal whose calm temperament and friendliness had made her a favorite among those who encountered her.
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who → leave → her
The shooting has also raised troubling questions as to how a hunter came to fire a weapon so close to a property housing animals and people.
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hunter → raise → animals
Angelique, right, had spent years bringing comfort to vulnerable children after previously working as a therapy donkey alongside three other animals
The devastated founder of Hasty's Haven described Angelique's killing as a nightmare that has left the entire rescue team traumatized
Angelique was known for her affectionate personality and was often among the first animals to greet visitors arriving at the sanctuary
According to SCDNR, conservation officers responded to the Anderson County property after receiving a report that a pet donkey had been shot during a hunting incident.
During the investigation, the hunter acknowledged firing at a deer but claimed the bullet had missed its intended target and struck Angelique.
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bullet → spend → Angelique
Authorities have not publicly identified the hunter or provided further details about the distance between the shooter and the donkey when the gun was fired.
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gun → identify → shooter
The department confirmed that the investigation has resulted in two charges against the hunter.
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investigation → confirm → hunter
Officials also issued a stark warning about the responsibility of anyone handling a firearm in areas where people, homes and animals could be nearby.
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people → issue → areas
'This unfortunate incident serves as an important safety reminder,' SCDNR said.
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SCDNR → serve → reminder
'Hunters must always positively identify their target, be aware of what lies beyond it, and ensure they are shooting in a safe direction.'
The sanctuary has made clear that it intends to pursue the matter beyond the criminal proceedings.
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intends → identify → proceedings
'The court date is November 11th and you'd better believe we will be there.
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we → believe → ?
And we will be filing a civil suit.
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we → file → suit
This cannot happen ever again.'
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This → happen → ?
News of Angelique's death has sparked an outpouring of anger and grief online, with animal lovers demanding accountability for the shooting.
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lovers → spark → shooting
Furious animal lovers have demanded justice for Angelique, with one heartbroken supporter declaring that she 'deserved her life, not a violent and painful death'
One commenter argued that firing a weapon toward a residential or farming property should carry severe consequences.
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firing → demand → consequences
'The perp needs prosecuted to the fullest extent,' the person wrote.
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person → prosecute → extent
Another expressed heartbreak over the donkey's death and the suffering experienced by the people and animals who knew her.
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who → express → her
'The worst of our world has taken a perfect soul's life,' the commenter wrote.
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commenter → take → life
'I'm so very sad for Angelique and for all who loved her, herdmates & humans alike.'
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who → love → her
The same commenter hoped the court would recognize the seriousness of the incident and the danger the shot could have posed to others.
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shot → hop → others
'She was beautiful and deserved her life, not a violent and painful death,' the message continued.
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message → deserve → life
Im so sorry,' one person wrote.
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person → m → ?
'How awful, I hope you get justice for Angelique,' said another.
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another → hope → Angelique
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