Farmers in Devon ‘devastated’ after dogs attack alpacas

An alpaca farmer in Devon is pleading with dog owners to keep their pets on a leash after two dogs attacked and killed one of his young animals and seriously 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 named Lady Penelope.

A report has been filed with the police.

An older alpaca named Bonnie was one of three seriously injured as she tried to protect the young ones in the group, Mr Norman said.

“They really are a herd animal,” he says.

‘She intervened and stood between the baby and the dogs.

“She 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 them all – these alpacas are our family and we are devastated by this incident,” he said . .

The landowners witnessed the attacks and intervened to prevent any more animals from being injured.

“It’s so sad,” Mr Norman said.

“And it’s completely, completely avoidable.

‘If people kept dogs on leads, there would be no attacks on livestock.

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

“It’s just heartbreaking when something like this happens.”

Farm insurers NFU Mutual say farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million will be seriously injured or killed by dogs in 2023, an increase of almost 30% on the previous year.