Villagers were left shocked after a crime scene depicted a shock attack where four alpacas were shot in the head while one managed to escape alive, but was left paralysed
A village was rocked after four alpacas were shot and killed in a shock attack on a farm, leaving the area looking like an intense ‘murder scene’.
The incident, which saw five alpacas shot, took place in the early hours on Sunday, March 23. Four were killed after being shot in the head, while one alpaca managed to survive despite also being shot. On the scene, it was also discovered that a ewe was killed by dogs. Dawn French, the alpacas’ owner, said she and her husband Brian were shocked to see what had happened.
They rushed to her six-acre field in East Hatley, South Cambridgeshire, to find their dead pets, who were named Calvin, Klein, Martha and Juniper, “scattered around the land”.
“It looked like a murder scene,” she told the Times. “The alpacas had all been shot in the head like an execution. It was absolute carnage. It’s something I’d never want to see ever again and wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.”
She revealed that the dead bodies were all around the land. The eldest alpaca, who survived, was shot in the face and survived. However, she is now paralysed and was forced on strong painkillers.
Dawn also believes a dog was on the scene, as they found sheep fleece where it appears they were dragged alongside dog footprints.
While the motive behind the attack was not clear, Dawn did note that there are deer stalkers nearby and somebody suggested they could have been mistaken for the animals in the night.
“Maybe it’s the latest sick sport. It’s definitely not for food as they left the bodies behind,” she added.
Later she wrote in a Facebook post: “All day spent at East Hatley with police, rural crimes team, SOCO (scene of crime officers) & vet saving the injured one. What the hell happened!
“Absolute b******* that have taken so many lives. Police are taking it very seriously with guns involved. What on earth next?”
She added: “Anyone with animals please be on your guard for these sick f******.”
The police have been informed and are investigating around Cambridge to try and piece together what happened. Currently, they know the shooter used a .22 or higher calibre rifle, but not much else.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the rural crime action team at Cambridgeshire police, told the Times: “This was a highly distressing crime that has caused death and serious injury to defenceless animals.”
Anyone with information, who witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, or who might have CCTV or dashcam footage that they feel is relevant, is urged to contact Cambridgeshire police on 101.
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