Oh, Wendy, what a horrible horrible thing to wake up to. I am just
sitting here in shock.
For the past few days for some reason I have been having thoughts about
how easy it would be for roaming dogs to breach my outer fences and get
to my inner fences with the alpacas. I have never worried about this
before, but now will be.
I have an acquaintance that lives relatively close by; he has horses
mostly, but picked up a llama a few years ago at auction. He loved that
girl. I say loved because a year or so ago I ran into him and asked him
how it was going and if he ever got her a companion which I had been
begging him to do for her mental health. He told that a neighbors 2
dogs had chewed her to pieces one night. He came out to a similar sight
to what you have described - chewed up her rear end - which I assume
means she was trying to get away, but there were 2 of them and only 1 of
her. It is heartbreaking beyond words. Which also makes me question
the whole guard llama thing. I don't see how a llama can protect
against dogs. And you say you had llamas in with your alpacas as well.
If at all possible I would be securing them at night and anytime you are
not home.
My own 2 german shepards went after my young female tons of years ago
when my dd was about 3yo and left a gate open. I was here alone,
holding onto to her and kicking the crap out of my dogs screaming at the
top of my lungs. There were 2 of them and they were going after her in
a frenzy. She was crying. I knew if I let her go she would start
running and they would take her down. It was a most horrible
experience. She and I managed to get ourselves over next to the
chicken pen, gate, kicking the dogs all the way, and when we did I
opened it and shoved her in. I love my dogs, they are my babies too,
but I wanted to kill them right there. I couldn't bear to even be
around them for the longest time. I loaded her up in my car and
carried her to the vet, she walked in on a lead rope, bleeding
profusely, and charmed the entire place. Some stitches and a lot of
antibiotics and she survived thank god.
So my bet, along with everyone else, is dogs.
I had 2 attacks here last summer - bobcat is my best guess. 2 separate
incidents leaving 2 severely injured alpacas behind. It clearly was not
after them, they just happened to be in the way. What the predator got
was a duck - I had only left the ducks out 2 nights when the 1st attack
happened. I knew whatever it was must be patrolling the area
regularly. And yes, once they "score" they will be coming back. Please
listen to what the others are telling you and be prepared to nail these
guys. The owners need to know. Out here in the country where I live
people shoot dogs that go after their livestock, even chickens. I make
sure my dogs are secure at all times for that reason.
I got home very late the other night after driving from Atlanta in
driving rain about 10 min in front of a tornado that touched down I
learned the next day. Very harrowing. Finally got home safe well after
midnight and as my dd and I were putting the animals to bed in the hard
rain we could not find the ducks.....and the mama alpaca and her baby
were laying out in the pouring rain next to the fence where the others
were. Totally unlike her not to be in the barn with the little one in
the storm. I was freaked out as I just knew something foul was afoot.
I had given up and was heartbroken to lose my ducks. We did finally
find the ducks thank goodness, or rather they found us. Like you and
Heather and so many on this group, *any* animal loss is a grievous
loss. I cannot imagine *anyone* faulting you for crying over your
precious babies. This is a severe shock to your system; on so many
levels. There is no exaggerating this horrible grievous loss. What you
have witnessed is unbelievably hard and tragic. I have buried many
myself and have taken each loss very very hard. I still cry over the
losses when I can't help but remember. I cannot even begin to imagine
what sort of shape you are in. *I* am in shock just reading about it.
I do not know where in TN you are, but I am in NW GA and would be happy
to offer a shoulder to cry on; a hand to hold you up. Please call -
706-234-2862.
And don't give up. Catch these culprits. I love dogs and dogs will be
dogs; their owners are at fault here. They need a rude awakening. Once
you get that little chore taken care of it will be a healing of sorts.
Then tackle those fences. Once you get to that point, let us know. We
have on this list a woman relatively close by who does llama and alpaca
rescue and is always needing foster homes and homes. She has never, to
my knowledge, shared that on list, so I will not out her, but when you
are ready I can put you in touch. I know once I get my fences secure
and get another pasture fenced I will be taking in fosters and of course
keeping them :-).
Oh Wendy, a big huge sobbing hug,
Janice
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