Adobe StockThe owner of four alpacas and a sheep that were shot dead in Cambridgeshire has condemned the “horrific, senseless” attack.
Police have launched an investigation after the “highly distressing” incident on a farm in East Hatley.
The shooting happened between 6pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday, Cambridgeshire Police said.
A fifth alpaca was shot in the face but survived the attack.
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Cambridgeshire PoliceThe owner of the alpacas, Dawn French, described the attack as “senseless” during an interview with BBC Breakfast on Tuesday.
“We got a phone call Sunday morning, saying you need to come to the field now. But be prepared, it’s not pretty,” Ms French said.
“They didn’t give us any more information than that, and when we got there we found that four of our alpacas had been shot in the head.
“A fifth one was shot but she was OK.
Cambridgeshire Police“One of the sheep had been mauled by a dog, and she was found very, very poorly in a ditch just outside the field.
“It’s just horrific, senseless, just awful.”
Ms French said the ewe had to be put down because she was so badly mauled.
The injured alpaca was treated by a vet.
Asked about a possible motive for the attack, Ms French said: “We have absolutely no idea. We’re hoping it’s maybe just a one-off and it’s not a latest craze.
“It’s just been absolutely horrific, no thought whatsoever that could be behind it. Just brutal, senseless – there’s no words.”
Police have launched an appeal and officers are asking anyone with information about the incident to get in touch.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall said: “This was a highly distressing crime that has caused death and serious injury to defenceless animals.”
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