Devon farmers ‘devastated’ after dog attack on alpacas

An alpaca breeder 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 seriously injured three others.

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

The dead alpaca was a five-month-old baby named Lady Penelope.

The incident was reported to the police.

An elderly alpaca named Bonnie was one of three people seriously injured when she tried to protect youngsters in the group, Norman said.

“They are largely herd animals,” he said.

“She stepped in and stood between this child and the dogs.

“She probably saved the lives of the other kids in the field.”

Norman said alpacas were often taken to schools and nursing homes, making them more than just farm animals.

“Many of you will know how special these alpacas are to us, how we know their individual, quirky characters and give them special names. These alpacas are our family and we are devastated by this incident,” he said. .

Landowners witnessed the attacks and intervened to prevent more animals from being injured.

“It’s always very sad,” Norman said.

“And it is completely, completely avoidable.

“If people kept dogs on leashes, we wouldn’t have attacks on farm animals.

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

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

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