Not much I can add, the other guys said it all. Sorry John.

I dont personally know the kid ,but his family owns land behind ours .

John, I am so sorry. I am sure Joan is just heartbroken, give her a hug for all of us.

I agree with what the guys said, this guy needs to be prosecuted. What if it happened to be you, or Joan, or someone you know who had been out on your property. Shooting on private property, without the homeowners permission, no matter how many times he says I'm sorry, is illegal.

My heart goes out to your family.

My brother in law who actually owned the donkey does not want to press charges against the guy as he is only 17 years old and said he was very sorry .I dont agree with this at all ,I think he should be prosecuted fully ,otherwise what will keep him from doing it again ? I really think he just doesnt want to make the neighbor behind us mad as its his grandson that was in the wrong.

John, what if animal control finds out about this ? Or finds the donkey on your property, it is my understanding that YOU could be prosecuted for not reporting the kill.

John at the end of the day...its your property, he illegally hunted at night, he was trespassing. This is not up to your brother-inlaw.....its up to you. If it means getting your neighbor upset...SO BE IT. The kid has to learn how wrong he was.

What really concerns me the most is some punk kid shooting at something BEFORE fully identifying what it is!!
What if this was you or Joan out there???

I understand it's a 17 year guy. Ok if you don't press charges, what is he doing to make up for your loss? There still needs to be some kind of consequence, like working around your place until the donkey is pay fore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't let him just walk, or he will never learn anything from his actions. He need to own up.

Our neighbor across the road brought his backhoe over and buried the donkey for my brother in law .The kid still needs to be reported in my opinion even though he is going to pay for the donkey .We miss hearing the donkey breying or GOING OFF as we called it .We heard shooting after dark tonight in the distance and wondered if the idiot was back at it .

That is a question that I would ask myself. How many times has this kid done it before ? How many other people have covered for him in the past ?

Kids today don't seem to face many consequences. There are many laws to protect them, which I understand. But many parents also do not think that their kids "deserve" to be punished. What do you really know about this kid ? He could be the neighborhood troublemaker, or even known by the local cops, they just haven't been able to catch him.

I know I may sound vindictive. But I have seen some kids bat their eyes, give an innocent smile and get away with things. Only to find out later that they are bad kids who get away with everything cause mom and dad cover for them.

Ultimately, you and Joan need to do what is right for you two.