Farmers 'devastated' after dogs attack alpacas

An alpaca farmer in Devon is pleading with dog owners to keep their pets on leads after two dogs attacked and killed one of his young animals and severely injured three others.

Mark and Sam Norman, from Lakemoor Alpacas in Buckfastleigh, said the attack on their herd of 49 animals had left them devastated.

The alpaca killed was a five-month-old baby called Lady Penelope.

The incident has been reported to the police.

An older alpaca called Bonnie was among the three seriously injured when she tried to protect the youngsters in the group, said Mr Norman.

"They're very much a herd animal," he said.

"She stepped in and put herself between that baby and the dogs.

"She's probably saved the lives of the other babies in the field."

Mr Norman said the alpacas were often taken to visit schools and care homes and had become more than just farm animals.

"Many of you will know how special these alpacas are to us, and how we know all their individual quirky characters and have special names for all of them - these alpacas are our family, and we are devastated due to this incident," he said.

The landowners witnessed the attacks and intervened to stop more animals being injured.

"It's ever so sad," said Mr Norman.

"And it's completely, completely avoidable.

"If people keep dogs on leads we wouldn't have attacks on livestock.

"It doesn't matter if it's an alpaca or a sheep, it's completely avoidable.

"It's just heartbreaking when we have something like this happen."

Farm insurers NFU mutual said farm animals worth an estimated £2.4m were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2023, up nearly 30% compared with the previous year.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].