Shot alpaca returns home after seven weeks at vet

2 days ago

Katy Prickett & Katherine Ganczakowski

BBC News, Cambridgeshire

Dawn French said Phoebe did not "look as stressed as she did eight weeks ago, that's for sure"

Katherine Ganczakowski/BBC A brown alpaca is lay on the ground with its neck upright. It has watery black eyes and a red knotted material under its face. It is inside a barn on top of a straw floor. — Dawn French said Phoebe did not "look as stressed as she did eight weeks ago, that's for sure"

An alpaca that survived a gunshot wound to the face "is back where she belongs" after seven weeks of treatment at a veterinary hospital, its owner said.

Four other alpacas were shot dead with a rifle in the attack at East Hatley, near Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, in March and 15-year-old Phoebe was seriously injured.

Dawn French, the animal's owner, said although the animal still needs daily treatment, she was much stronger and it was "good to have her home".

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: "Following a thorough investigation, the case has been filed pending any new lines of inquiry coming to light."

Phoebe survived a gunshot to her face and after weeks of treatment has returned home

Dawn French Two alpacas in a barn, side-on, with their heads in plastic feeding containers. The one at the back is cream coloured and in front of it is a brown alpaca. They are standing on hay. — Phoebe survived a gunshot to her face and after weeks of treatment has returned home

Ms French said she thinks the crime was "going to be one of life's unsolved mysteries".

"They're so pretty, they're so inquisitive, they're so calm and placid - I can't understand why anyone would think of hurting them," she added.

The animals, which had been kept in a field off Main Street for six years, were shot in the head with a rifle between 22 and 23 March.

A ewe was also attacked by a dog and had to be put down. Initially it was believed Phoebe had a flesh wound.

"She's had lots and lots of treatment to sort out the hole in her mouth and to try to get her weight up, as she wasn't able to eat properly - she's back where she belongs now," said Ms French.

Dawn French said she received phenomenal" support from friends "and complete strangers" after the attack

Katherine Ganczakowski/BBC Dawn French in a farm shed/barn, wearing a black puffa jacket and holding a brown hen. She has shoulder-length grey hair and is smiling broadly at the camera. Behind her can be seen a pile of hay. — Dawn French said she received phenomenal" support from friends "and complete strangers" after the attack

Faced by vet bills of £250 day, she has appealed for help with the treatment costs.

Ms French was overwhelmed with the "phenomenal" support from friends "and complete strangers".

"The words of love and encouragement and the donations, which covered the vet bill - we couldn't ask for anything more," she said.

"She's still a little paralysed on the right hand side of her face, but hopefully that will improve in time."

Ms French, who rents the field from a farm a couple of miles away from her smallholding at Tadlow, will wait a while until Phoebe has settled back into her home before deciding whether to build up the herd numbers once more.

The animal charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals previously offered a £2,500 reward to anyone who could assist the police investigation.

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