Alpacas and sheep shot dead in Cambridgeshire attack

Police are urging the public to come forward with information after four alpacas and a sheep were shot dead by thugs in East Hatley, near Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire.

A fifth alpaca was also shot in the face, but survived the attack.

It is believed a dog may have also been involved in the attack, as paw prints were found near the sheep. 

The deceased alpacas, named Calvin, Klein, Martha and Juniper, were kept in a six-acre paddock rented by owner Dawn French at her smallholding.

Police say the attack happened some time between 6pm on Saturday, 22 March, and 8.30am on Sunday, 23 March.

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Officers from the Rural Crime Action Team have conducted house-to-house inquiries and are now appealing for any witnesses or those with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to get in touch.

Sgt Tom Nuttall, from the team, said: “This was a highly distressing crime that has caused death and serious injury to defenceless animals.

“I would encourage anyone who knows anything about this offence to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Ms French has kept the herd of alpacas and sheep for six years.

“One of the sheep had been mauled by a dog and she was found very poorly in a ditch just outside the field,” Ms French told the BBC Breakfast programme. “She was so badly injured that she didn’t make it.”

“It is horrific, senseless, just awful, brutal.

“We got a phone call Sunday morning saying you need to come to the field now, but be aware it’s not pretty.

“We are hoping it’s a one-off and it’s not one of the latest crazes, like hare coursing.”

Many alpaca owners have offered their support to Ms French in the wake of the attack.

Police have called on anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has any information, no matter how minor, to come forward.

They can contact the police on 101 or, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 35/20844/25.