United Kingdom: Alpacas chased and attacked by Pit Bull and Jack Russell. Pit bull has been caught

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog attack has caused serious injuries to alpacas in Hampshire.

Three alpacas reported severe neck and face injuries after at least one dog (a brindle pit bull) savaged them in a field in Bartley in the New Forest.

Their owner Bryan Sears took them to a vet in Hythe where they were treated and they are now back at the farm to recover after having five hours worth of surgery.

 

 

“It’s a miracle that they’re still alive. Likely I got there and took them to the vet. One of them almost lost an eye,” Mr Sears said.

The three alpacas were with their flock when they have been caught by at least one dog. The rest of them managed to run away while the three were caught in the corner of a gateway, last Thursday.

“Alpacas don’t have a chance against dogs. They are not made to fight,” Mr Sears explained.

The three are now being treated with antibiotics.

“It will take a long time to recover. Another one was attacked at the beginning of October and it is still recovering. It only just had stitches taken out,” Mr Sears said.

Mr Sears did not have time to look for witnesses from the nearby building after the attack happened since they all left for the Christmas break but Hampshire Police were called to the scene and are investigating.

“I don’t want this to happen again. People shouldn’t allow dogs to come around,” he said.

The alpacas are said to be on the mend according to Petlake Alpacas of the New Forest.

A spokeswoman said: “They are doing remarkably well, the first night we thought we were going to lose two of them."

The attack came two months after the alpacas were previously savaged by dogs.

The spokeswoman added that one of the dogs who previously attacked them had been seen in the area.

She said: “We had a dog attack two months ago one of the dogs from that was destroyed, but the other one is still around and there were reports it was seen nearby in the past week.”

To help with the vets bills, which are estimated to be more than £2000, a JustGiving page has been set up which has raised more than £1300.

The spokeswoman added: “People have been very very generous.”

JustGiving fund link: "Alpacas care and recovery"

On Thursday 22th December 3 of our Alpacas, Oberon Arragorn and Theo suffered horrific injuries to their throats and faces when they were attacked by a dog. All 3 survived 5 hours of emergency surgery although it was touch and go for Arragorn. Please help us to raise funds to pay for their care and ongoing vets bills. You can follow their progress on our facebook page Petlake Alpacas of the New Forest. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated

Updates:
Thank you everyone for you support and overwhelming generosity, the target is a guess, vets bills will probably exceed it but if after they've recovered we have any left we will donate it to an alpaca charity. 2 days after the attack Oberon and Arragorn are both still loosing fluids through their wounds and we are still very worried about them. Theo's wounds seem to be less severe and he seems coping much better. We will keep you updated with how they're getting on.

Unbelievably we just caught the dogs chasing the alpacas again!!!! a Jack Russell ran off but I caught the brindle Staffy (Staffordshire pit bull terrier) and I was there before andy serious injuries occurred. The Police responded immeadiately and have take the dog away. What will it take for this owner to keep his dog under control !!!!

Very worried about Oberon this evening, he's very shaky and weak, still not able to eat properly, but his lip does seem to be gradually getting less droopy, Theo's Cheek wound is leaking some cud still, Arragorn is stable at the moment so please keep them in your thoughts.

(Daily Echo - Dec 28, 2016)

New York: Dayton Wood charged with 143 counts of animal cruelty after deaths of 143 alpacas

NEW YORK -- A man has been charged with 143 counts of animal cruelty after investigators found 143 Alpacas had died over a period of months at a farm.

Investigators from the Cortland Community SPCA's Law Enforcement Department say the investigation started after an anonymous tip of dead Alpacas at the Sam Groome Alpaca Farm at 4000 McMahon Road in Marathon.

That tip led them to find dozens of Alpacas that had passed away from malnutrition and illness.

"This is the probably the largest case I've done in the 14 years I've been here," said CCSPCA Chief Law Enforcement Officer William Carr. "This was just a waste of life, and these animals unfortunately suffered a slow death as a result."

Officer Carr tells us a paid caretaker, identified as Dayton L. Wood, had been hired by the owner of the farm to be the animal's caretaker, but allegedly through "gross negligence" failed to make sure all of the animals received proper sustenance while in his care over a period of about two to three months.

On March 10 the owner of the farm, Samuel Groome from Florida, came to Cortland after hearing what happened and went to the farm with SPCA investigators and New York State Police, who were assisting the SPCA with the investigation.

Over the course of a month-long investigation the CCSPCA found 143 Alpacas had died at the farm over the period of months. 21 Alpacas, which were given basic veterinary care and sustenance, survived.

Wood was arraigned Friday on 143 counts of Article 26 Section 353 New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a Class A Misdemeanor. Wood has been released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on May 11.

Each of those counts comes with a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine per offense.

(CNYCentral - April 30, 2016)

North Carolina: Police say Gerald Rhynes, 64, starved a horse to death in January. Apparently he continued to starve animals to death...

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Wadesboro man was charged with animal cruelty after authorities say he starved an alpaca to death and abused other animals.

Gerald Rhynes, 64, is accused of mistreating several animals at his property on South Teal Hall Road in Wadesboro. He has llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, donkeys, cows and horses, according to Sheriff Landric Reid.

One alpaca was found starving to death, Reid said. Other animals were also in bad shape. The arrest warrant specifies that one animal was killed, but says that Rhynes was not feeding multiple animals “on a regular basis.”

Detective Steve Erdmanczyk said Rhynes has 200 to 300 animals on his property, and that there were multiple cases of abuse.

“I can’t say they all were (mistreated), but there were several,” Erdmanczyk said.

The sheriff said deputies had heard accusations of abuse and had begun an investigation.

“If it wasn’t for what’s going on now, there probably would’ve been more (animals that died),” Reid said.

The Anson County Sheriff’s Office worked with county animal control officers to take custody of the animals.

Rhynes was charged with felony killing an animal by starvation in the death of the alpaca. He was held in the Anson County Jail under a $500 secured bond but posted bond the same day.

Reid said additional charges are possible.

Records show Rhynes was also charged with felony killing an animal by starvation in February. Rhynes was charged with committing the offense on Jan. 28 and was arrested Feb. 27.

In that case, Rhynes allegedly killed an unspecified animal “by failing to provide adequate food, shelter and medical treatment,” according to the arrest warrant. Erdmanczyk said the first animal Rhynes allegedly starved to death was a horse.

Rhynes will appear in court for both charges on April 19.

All suspects facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

(Anson Record - April 12, 2016)

Washington: Neglected alpacas rescued from Tenino farm; owner facing animal cruelty charges

WASHINGTON -- A Thurston County woman is facing animal cruelty charges for the way she cared for her alpacas.

Thirty three of the animals have been seized from a farm owned by the woman, who has not been identified.

The Thurston County sheriff's office says the farm owner has a history of not properly caring for her animals. When officials found them, the woman's alpacas were dehydrated and had parasites and foot pad rot from constantly standing on wet ground.

Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue noted on their Facebook page that several of the animals were scored at the lowest possible body condition score for alpacas. Basically they were walking skeletons under all this matted, wet fur.

 

"It was a very serious situation," said Shari Bond with Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue. "This whole heard runs the gamut, everything is wrong with these animals."

Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue has placed the herds in four foster homes while the farm owner faces multiple animal cruelty charges. Investigators say four alpaca carcasses were found on the woman's property.

Bond said one of the alpacas was so sick that the vet said it had only days to live before being rescued.

As the case is under investigation, Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue is in need of medical supplies and feed to bring the gentle, furry creatures back to good health.

 

"It's just very difficult to see them, but we know now it's nothing but good ahead of them," Bond said.

The farm owner already has an open animal cruelty case in Pierce County. Investigators say the specific charges will be considered when the alpaca's blood tests come back.

(KOMO News - March 24, 2016)

Washington: Graham woman Heidi Christensen pleads not guilty to animal cruelty in alpacas case

WASHINGTON -- A Graham woman pleaded not guilty Friday to neglecting a collection of animals, including alpacas, a horse, a parrot and a llama.

Heidi Anne Christensen, 52, is charged with four counts of first-degree animal cruelty and four counts of second-degree animal cruelty.

Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Meagan Foley released Christensen on her own recognizance after she was arraigned and ordered her not to own any animals without court permission.

Christensen must also turn over any remaining pets in the next 10 days.

Animal control officers responded in February 2014 to her home on 252nd Street Court East after a passerby reported a horse that looked underfed and covered in burns.

A search of the property turned up 13 alpacas, a horse and a llama. Inside the house were a turtle, a green parrot, three dogs and two cats.

Charging documents give this description:

Many of the animals had no food or water.

The horse was emaciated with overgrown teeth and hooves and was living in an area littered with trash and 11 animal skulls.

One of the alpacas was starving in a pen amid five animal skulls. Another later died at a veterinarian’s office from starvation.

Others had matted hair, burrs and overgrown teeth.

The dogs and cats appeared to be healthy, but officers noted some litter boxes were full of feces, a dog kennel had no food or water, and the house smelled like a barn.

The turtle was cold to the touch, and the parrot’s cage was rusted and filthy.

(News Tribune - Feb 26, 2016)

Washington: Alpaca farm owner, Russell Shroyer, escapes animal cruelty charges; fined instead

WASHINGTON -- The Woodland-area alpaca farm owner accused of starving more than 20 alpacas last summer has been cited with five counts of mistreatment of an animal. He is being fined $2,000.

The Humane Society of Cowlitz County filed the infraction notices against Russell Shroyer. Keenan Harvey, Humane Society director, said Monday he’s unsure whether the Shroyer will pay the fines or contest them.

Shroyer did not return a phone call for comment Monday.

Some of the recovered alpacas

Shroyer operates the Woodland-area farm (Maple Creek Ranch breeders of alpacas, Miniature Schnauzers and Havanese dogs) in the 700 block of Butte Hill Road near Woodland. Harvey said Shroyer presented receipts that showed he bought feed for the animals, but it was the wrong type and the animals wouldn’t eat it.

Harvey said pet owners who can’t afford to take care of their animals can contact the Humane Society for help.

“This problem didn’t happen overnight,” Harvey said. “Sometimes people have to swallow their pride and contact us, and we’re going to work with them to stop the problem. Ultimately, we would have loved if he would have contacted us months ago. ... We would have helped him.”

Five of the alpacas housed on the Woodland farm were brought to the local animal shelter in July after Harvey received a call from Shroyer. Within a couple of days, one of the alpacas died, prompting Harvey to call Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue officials, who determined they were starving.

Soon after, Humane Society officers and Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue officials returned to the Woodland farm to bring two female alpacas to the shelter. The animals were “in very rough shape,” and one died, Harvey said in an August interview. The other female was taken to Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue, where her health improved significantly.

Eventually, all the remaining alpacas were removed from the farm and nursed back to health by the Humane Society. All have been adopted out to new owners.

Harvey said that at one point, the Woodland-area alpaca farm was “a good operation.” He said he never had any suspicion the farm wasn’t being properly run. However, Shari Bond, co-founder of Cross Creek Alpaca Rescue, said she believes the farm has been operating poorly “for a very long time — a lot longer than anyone realized.”

Harvey said Monday he’s happy with the way the case has been handled, noting that it was a mutual agreement between himself and Shroyer. He said animal control officials did not have grounds to file the more serious charge of animal cruelty.

“We couldn’t really prove the elements of cruelty because we couldn’t prove intent.”

What are the laws for animal cruelty in Washington state?

RCW 16.52.205
Animal cruelty in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering or while manifesting an extreme indifference to life, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal.
(2) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized by law, he or she, with criminal negligence, starves, dehydrates, or suffocates an animal and as a result causes: (a) Substantial and unjustifiable physical pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering; or (b) death.

RCW 16.52.207
Animal cruelty in the second degree.
(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the person knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal.
(2) An owner of an animal is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the owner knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence:
(a) Fails to provide the animal with necessary shelter, rest, sanitation, space, or medical attention and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of the failure;

According to the law, you have to prove INTENT with 1st degree animal cruelty. However, with 2nd degree animal cruelty, you only have to prove that he "knowingly, recklessly, OR with criminal negligence" starved the alpacas. If the owner bought the "wrong food", he knowingly chose not to replace it with food that alpacas would and could eat. It is reasonable that a person understands that when something or someone is not provided with food, they will get skinnier and skinnier until they die of starvation.

Also, Shroyer and his wife run Maple Creek Alpaca Ranch. Their website says they breed Havanese and Miniature Schnauzers. You're telling me they "didn't know" their animals were starving?

(TDN.com - Jan 25, 2016)

Jose Saquinaula-Sarez charged with animal cruelty after his dying alpaca found covered in maggots

CONNECTICUT -- Police are investigating the death of an alpaca named "Jimmy" at a home on West Norwalk Road.

The incident unfolded around 8 p.m. Tuesday when a resident in the area alerted police to an animal that had been laying on its side in the front yard of the West Norwalk Road home for two days and was concerned for its safety.

Upon arrival, police say they found the animal, an alpaca, laying on its side, unable to stand and appeared to be having a seizure.

Animal Control was called to the scene, along with a veterinarian who began examining the animal, which was said to be in extremely poor condition and had maggots on its underside.

Within minutes of trying to help the animal, police say it succumbed to its illness.

Police say other animals were found on the property that appeared to be in good condition.

The owner of the animal, Jose Saquinaula-Sarez, 35, of 141 West Norwalk Road, was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with one count of animal cruelty.

Saquinaula-Sarez has been given a date of Sept. 7 at Norwalk Superior Court.

Police say an investigation into the animal's death is ongoing.

(The Hour - Aug 26, 2015)

Dogs Attack Alpacas

NEVADA -- Some 30 alpacas, males, females and youngsters, have been making their home at Tahoe Breeze Alpacas just outside Gardnerville.

In less than two weeks they are scheduled to be moved to a new home in Pennsylvania.

It's been a quiet life for these South American relatives of the camel,. raised for their fleece and as pets.

Sunday morning that quiet was broken when Mike and Kathy Hall awoke to the sounds of dogs barking.

Investigating, they found a tragedy unfolding.

"Crusader", one of the alpacas killed in the attack

She found two dogs right here 20- feet from us and all of the rest of the alpacas huddled over here.
One alpaca was already dead. Crusader, the gentlest of the herd, and with champion bloodlines, the most valuable, was the first attacked.

Fiddle, the most aggressive, had apparently placed himself between the dogs and the others and was losing the fight.

"He survived until the vet got here," says Mike Hall, "but at that point he had to be put down."

Their cousin, the llama is often kept as a guard animal with sheep and can send a coyote or dog running with a kick. The smaller, gentler alpaca is mostly defenseless.

"Alpacas are by nature very docile," says Hall. "They aren't aggressive to anything."

Their owner tells us there's a monetary loss of about $10,000 dollars here, but it's more than that. Unlike most livestock, these guys have individual personalities and names.

Hall can describe each and every one. The curious, the playful, their individual habits. Though they're owned by others, he's cared for them every day for years.

"You get attached to the animals and you take it personally because it is personal."

Hall says he's never had a problem with predators, even the packs of coyotes who are common to the area and he'd never seen these particular dogs.

He speculates that their owners may be unaware of the attack, but hopes once they learn of it they'll step forward and take responsibility.

Kathy Hall snapped a picture of the two dogs which appear to be a German Shepherd and a mastiff type.

A spokeswoman for Douglas County Animal Control says there's no reason to believe the dogs pose any kind of threat to the public as that would be a different kind of aggression and, she says, until the dogs are found it's unknown if this was a one time incident.

But armed with the photos the people at Douglas County authorities are optimistic that they will find the dogs.

What happens after that is up to the judge.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (775) 782-5126 or Animal Care and Services at (775) 782-9061.

UPDATE - The two dogs have been located, according to Mike Hall.

(KOLO8 - May 5, 2015)

Vicious dog attacks savage alpacas

TEXAS -- Comal County officials make no bones about they feel about dogs running at large. Perhaps similar signs could be placed in areas of Bandera County that are plagued by irresponsible dog owners.

For the second time this month, livestock has been attacked in the Polly Peak area and residents feel that their pleas for help against packs of marauding dogs are being ignored. However, that appears about to change.

On Feb. 9, a herd of alpacas in a pen on Broad Oak Drive was attacked by four dogs, resulting in the death of a breeding male and injuries to several others. According to Bandera County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Matt King, alpacas used in breeding operations can cost $5,000 and more.

Gruesome scene
According to King, after arriving at the scene of the gruesome attack, BCSO Deputy DJ Nowlin observed several alpacas lying on the ground in their pen.

The alpacas' owner said that the gravely injured breeding male, a large rare red alpaca, was transported to a veterinary clinic at Texas A&M University for surgery. However, the next day, after the alpaca was unable to stand, a CAT scan revealed damage to the animal's spine and he was humanely euthanized.

According to reports, no one witnessed the dogs attacking the alpacas. However, while patrolling the area, Nowlin identified two dogs as having possibly been involved in the fatal attack because, as reported, one was reportedly had blood on its face, snout and chest.

After containing the canines - a black and white pit-boxer mix and a white female lab mix missing its left front leg - Nowlin transported the animals to the Bandera County Animal Shelter. Neither dog had collars, identification tags or microchips.

According to King, law enforcement authorities later identified the owner as also living on Broad Oak Drive.

Dogs in custody
Immediately after the dogs were taken to the animal shelter, community liaison Sandra Schott posted their pictures on the Bandera County Animal Control Facebook page. There is no evidence of blood on either dog.

The owner identified her errant dogs from the Facebook posting. King noted that although the owner picked up the black and white dog from the animal shelter, she indicated that she "didn't want" the three-legged dog. At that time, the remaining dog was released to Pat Godkin, who runs the "A Doggie 4 You" animal rescue group.

In an interview with the Courier on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Godkin explained that animals involved in livestock attacks are "always adopted out of Bandera County in areas that are not rural. We've always been very careful about how we handle these kinds of (incidents). I grew up on a ranch and understand what goes on."

Moreover, Godkin believes the white dog was not actively involved in the attack, but rather was just on the property. "The dog did not have blood on it when it was picked up," she said. Additionally, since the dog's leg had been amputated only recently, "it was still moving very carefully," Godkin said.

Policy information
Questions remain about why the animals allegedly involved in the attack on the alpacas were released at all. Policy information county website states: "Any person in possession or control of an animal that is known to have attacked livestock, domestic animals or fowl shall turn the animal over to the Bandera County Sheriff's Department.

"The County Attorney will file with the County Judge a Petition for the immediate destruction of any animal believed to be a danger to livestock, domestic animal or fowl. The Bandera County Attorney aggressively prosecutes cases involving unrestrained dogs. It is the responsibility of the animal's owner to make sure that the dog is properly restrained at all times."

King said that on Feb. 18, Senior Animal Control Officer Rick Neely had filed an affidavit with County Attorney Janna Lindig, charging Conklin with "public nuisance, animals running at large."
Neely filed this under Section 5 of the Bandera County Animal Control Order dealing simply with the prohibition against off-leash animals.

Additional charges pending
 More importantly, however, King said Nowlin would file additional charges against the dogs' owner, adding "dogs attacking livestock" to the original public nuisance complaint. This new charge is covered under Article 7 of the Bandera County Animal Control Order. Specifically, Article 7 covers Animal Attacking Livestock, Domestic Animals or Fowl, stating:

 1) An animal that is attacking, is about to attack, or has recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl may be killed by any person witnessing the attack.

 2) A person who kills an animal that is attacking, is about to attack or has recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl is not liable for damages to the owner of the animal.

 3) Any person in possession or control of an animal that is known to have attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl shall turn the animal over to the Animal Control Officer.

If an owner fails to turn an animal over to law enforcement authorities as directed, Article 7 allows seizure of animal with a properly executed warrant. A hearing must be held no later than 10 days after the date on which the animal's owner receives notice the complaint has been filed.

When Nowlin files the second complaint, both dogs - the one previously returned to its owner and the one released to a rescue organization - will be impounded at the county facility until a hearing determines their fate.

Second attack
Fast forward to the morning of Monday, Feb. 23, when a second attack occurred on the penned alpacas. That incident resulted in another two rare red males having to be euthanized with more possibly looming. "The dogs tore the face off one of the alpacas, but he was still alive until he was put down," the owner said. "It was more horrible than anyone can imagine."

The face of a pregnant female alpaca was also destroyed, but medical personnel at the Bandera Veterinary Clinic are attempting to save the mother and the baby.

Official photographs taken after both attacks depicted injuries to the alpacas that were so horrific, BCSO was reluctant to release photos to illustrate this article.

"This was supposed to be our retirement income," the alpaca owner said of the breeding and wool enterprise. "Now I have $60,000 worth of dead and dying alpacas and astronomical vet bills."

She indicated that she would pursue a civil suit against the owner of the dogs identified in the first attack. King said the Feb. 23 attack remains under investigation.

At the time of the second attack, one participating dog was shot and killed and another possibly injured. The dead dog is a Rottweiler-shepherd mix, weighing 55 to 60 pounds with a black, white and tan long-haired coat. His body is being retained by the BCSO until the second investigation is completed.

Additionally, the second dog, a 25-pound dog that might have been hit, has been described as a retriever mix with a light beige or blond colored coat. Anyone in the Polly Peak area with information about these dogs is asked to call the sheriff's office at 830-796-3771.

Other concerns
The attacks on the alpacas are not the only incidents involving roaming dogs that have residents concerned. Some feel that an active poaching operation is ongoing in the Polly Peak area.

"Poachers use their dogs to run Axis and white-tail deer at night," said one resident who asked to remain anonymous. "Then the dogs attack livestock during the day because their owners let them run wild. This has been going on for 10 years. It's downright sickening and irresponsible and no one is doing anything about it."

The county has been plagued with dog troubles for years. In Polly Peak in 2008, an attack left an elderly woman seriously injured after she was mauled by three at-large Rottweilers. Three years later, the dogs' owner, Rosalia Clarice Sclafani, was acquitted on charges of felony assault with serious bodily injury and felony criminal negligence. Jurors felt the state had failed to prove that Sclafani had been negligent when securing her dogs earlier.

Additionally, as also reported by the Courier in 2008, three dogs that had allegedly attacked goats were destroyed under the authority of Section 7 of the Bandera County Animal Control ordinance. The hearing that determined the dogs' fate was adjourned at 11:20 and by 12:10 all had been delivered to a vet clinic where they were euthanized.

Referring to the twin attacks in February, a resident said, "Bandera's a rural county with a lot of livestock like sheep, goats and alpacas. We want to know that when dogs attack, there will be prosecutions and our rights protected."

(Bandera County Courier - Feb 26, 2015)

Escaped Alpacas Rescued After Stuck in Ice

MASSACHUSETTS -- Police, fire and animal control officials in Marblehead, Massachusetts, had a unique rescue mission in store Saturday when escaped alpacas got stuck in ice.

Officials responded to the Marblehead Bird Neck Sanctuary at 2:42 p.m. after three alpacas fell on the ice.

  

 

The owners held their heads as officials slid blankets under them.

The rescue took about 45 minutes and no alpacas were injured.

All of the alpacas are now safe in their barns. 

 

  

 

(NECN - Jan 20, 2015)

A nursing home in Oregon brought in a festive alpaca to cheer up its residents

OREGON -- The one thing that would make everyone's Christmas a million times better? A FESTIVE ALPACA. With reindeer antlers and tinsel.

Maryville Nursing Home in Oregon, USA, were lovely enough to hire a special treat for their residents this Christmas. Instead of chipping in for some crackers, or baking some wonky mince pies, they went for something truly magical: a visit from the Christmas alpaca.

  

Napoleon is a therapy alpaca, who visits schools, hospitals, and nursing homes and brings JOY to everyone he meets. According to his Facebook page, he has an "independent, curious, and people-friendly nature", and loves carrots.

This Christmas, he was hired to pop along to, among other locations, Maryville Nursing Home, decked out in tinsel, baubles, and some reindeer antlers. Obviously, everyone loved him. Resulting in a series of ridiculously heart-warming photos and videos.

ENJOY THE MAGIC.

Look at the JOY on this man's face.

Selfie time!

Just a casual alpaca. Chilling next to a Christmas tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

(Cosmopolitan UK - Dec 28, 2014)

Alpaca ranch owner gets three years in prison

OREGON -- A man found guilty by a jury of keeping nearly 200 alpacas in poor conditions will spend three years in prison.

Robert Silver was convicted in Polk County Circuit Court on Tuesday and sentenced on two felony counts and 16 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect in connection with the massive case that came to light a year ago.

Judge Norman Hill also ordered Silver to serve three years of post-prison supervision and to pay more than $15,000 in restitution jointly with his wife, Jocelyn Silver, a co-defendant in the case until she pleaded guilty earlier this year.

The couple owned Jocelyn's Alpaca Ranch, a 20-acre property on Parry Road in Falls City, where authorities seized 175 malnourished and dying alpacas after neighbors complained about poor living conditions for the animals.

Deputies and veterinarians visited the ranch twice in December 2013 and found that the entire herd had not received basic care. Jake Kamins, animal cruelty deputy district attorney for the state of Oregon, said the first time they went, they hauled away 17 dead alpacas. The second time they went, they took 41 dead alpacas off the property. The rest were sent to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University for emergency care.

Jocelyn Silver pleaded guilty and was convicted on one count of first-degree neglect and one count of second-degree neglect in June. She received three years of supervised probation along with restitution fees, according to court records.

Silver's three-day trial ended with a unanimous guilty verdict Dec. 11.

In court on Tuesday, defense attorney Timothy Park objected to the state's request for seven years of incarceration for Silver, considering that his wife did not receive any prison time. He argued that a short local jail sentence would be as effective as a long prison sentence.

There were as many as 200 being kept on 3 acres with little or no food.
They were eating anything within reach including the tree bark.

When Hill asked whether Silver had anything he'd like to say about the sentence, the defendant said he was sorry.

"I'm extremely remorseful for what happened. I'm extremely apologetic," Silver said from behind a glass barrier. "I was not aware of the cross-country rescue people ... I'd like to make amends however I can."

Hill decided in the end that Silver deserved a heavier sentence than his wife because prior to his sentencing hearing, he had never expressed remorse for the dead and neglected alpacas.

"There was no evidence that she controlled the money," Hill said to the courtroom. "The money for the feed was controlled by Mr. Silver."

Hill also noted that evidence throughout the case showed that Jocelyn Silver was remorseful, had helped clean up the situation and was commended by the animal rescuers that helped the alpacas.

 

Silver's "position was that there was nothing wrong," Hill said. "He did nothing to try and remedy the situation. He didn't offer to clean up. He didn't offer to do anything."

Silver's criminal history, which included theft and assault charges from about 15 years ago, also was taken into consideration. And in speaking directly to the defendant, the judge appeared firm.

"Mr. Silver, you engaged in behavior that can only be described as reprehensible."

After the hearing Kamins and neighbor Susan Heite, who also witnessed the alpacas' living conditions before the Silvers were charged, said they were happy with the outcome.

"It's gratifying the judge took this really seriously," Kamins said. "He had the ability to take it all the way down to nothing."

"It was horrible," Heite added. "It had been bad for three years. The last couple months were really bad. I'm glad he gave him 36 months. Maybe it'll make someone else stop and think before they do something like that."

(Statesman Journal - Dec. 24, 2014)
Earlier:

Dead, starving alpacas on Falls City ranch lead to felony animal neglect charges

Rescued Alpacas receiving treatment at OSU

Trial begins for Polk County alpaca ranch owner

Abandoned animal finds new home

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A group of volunteers recently banded together to round up an abandoned guanaco — a close llama relation — that was left on an Elmwood Road property in Hancock, after the animal’s owner, Daniel Ramage, was evicted from the property.

Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farm in Lyndeborough is now housing the animal. Tim and Dana Welch, who own Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farm, were called in to help round up the animal after the property’s owner, Arthur Cernota of Hancock, had attempted to go through state and local agencies to remove the guanaco without much success.

The Welches, too, attempted to contact some agencies to see if there was a possibility of tranquilizing the animal in order to capture it, but said they generally got trapped in a case of pass-the-buck.

Eventually, said Tim Welch, they decided to move ahead and try to remove the animal the old fashioned way — cornering it with volunteers and a impromptu rope fence and grabbing hold of the animal with bare hands. And last Thursday, that’s what happened, after almost two hours of chasing the guanaco down.

The animal was the only one left after her owner, Daniel Ramage, rounded up the rest of his herd a few weeks before, but was unable to capture the lone guanaco. The herd was left on its own for some time before that, after Ramage stopped residing at the property, and some were killed by coyotes or other causes, leaving the fields littered with skeletons.

Tim Welch said in an interview Wednesday that the animal, which they have been calling Cornflake, has been acclimating to the Welch’s herd of 80 alpaca and two llamas. While they initially thought her to be a llama, she is actually a guanaco, said Welch, the parent species to the llama, who are mostly wild in their native South America.

The Welches have experience with rescues of camelids — llamas, guanacos, alpacas and vicunas, specifically — having taken in animals from states as far away as Florida; in fact, nearly 30 of their current herd are rescues. She has only recently started to form a bond with the herd’s two llamas, said Welch, and has had to be slowly introduced to the farm’s barn.

Welch said that he doesn’t think Cornflake has ever been inside of a structure before, and is afraid of their barn, so they have been taking her inside for a few minutes every couple of days for brushing and care, to show her that the barn is not a bad place to be. Her fur is matted, said Welch, but will have to wait until the cold weather recedes for shearing.

Welch said Ramage’s son, Noah Ramage, had been in contact with him via Facebook and expressed that they would like to reclaim her. Welch said he would be willing to do that, but only if the Ramages were willing to have their current property inspected by the state vet’s office for suitability, and show proof of past care of the animals through feed and hay receipts and veterinarian records; proof of ownership; and reimbursement for medical treatment, such as shots and de-worming medication that the Welches have paid for.

The Welches were forced to take the rescue into their own hands after a series of unsuccessful attempts to find the state or local agency responsible for dealing with animal abuse, neglect or abandonment.

They tried N.H. Fish and Game, but were told that department doesn’t deal with domesticated animals. Attempts to coordinate a rescue with the ASPCA and the Monadnock Humane Society were equally fruitless. A call to Hancock Police got Chief Andrew Wood out to the farm twice searching for the animal to check its welfare, but he was unable to find Cornflake in the expansive fields.

Hancock does not have a dedicated animal control officer, said Wood, but the Police Department is responsible for animal complaints. Wood said that Hancock uses the Monadnock Humane Society to assist with allegations of animal neglect or cruelty.

He added that there have been complaints in the past about the treatment of the herd on Elmwood Road, and an agent from the Monadnock Humane Society had checked the animals’ welfare, but had not found any indication of neglect or cruelty at the time.

According to Steven Sprowl, the humane agent for the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, NHSPCA is one of the only organizations in the state that is equipped to deal with livestock animals. The NHSPCA, Sprowl said, has both the equipment to transport them and space to hold multiple large animals. While its facility has room for about a dozen animals, there are foster homes set up throughout the state to take in animals that it can’t accommodate.

Abandonment is a fairly common problem, said Sprowl. Tenants or owners of property, if they are evicted or otherwise have to leave the property, are expected to take their animals with them when they leave. Not doing so is classified as abandonment. Often, said Sprowl, if there is an eviction, tenants are not allowed back on the property, and returning is considered trespassing.

If the NHSPCA is contacted about abandoned animals, they will recover them and hold them for seven days, while they attempt to contact the animal’s owner. At the end of seven days, the animal becomes property of the NHSPCA, and can be put up for adoption. Landowners who have tenants who leave animals behind can also take possession of abandoned animals, said Sprowl.

Animal owners that leave animals behind can be charged with animal abandonment, which is a misdemeanor. If multiple animals are abandoned, a person can be charged with multiple counts of abandonment, or have a single charge that encompasses multiple animals, according to Sprowl.

Wood said there are currently no active investigations or charges pending against Ramage .

Sprowl said animal abandonment is not uncommon in the state, and he deals with several calls a month dealing with smaller animals such as cats, dogs, fish or snakes. Livestock abandonment is not unheard of either, he said, though not as common, and he is currently dealing with two livestock abandonment cases.

Sprowl said that most people have advance notice of an eviction or other circumstances that would force them to leave a property, and most of the abandonment cases he sees are a result of owners waiting to try to make arrangements for their animals.

“There are resources out there, but I find that people wait until the last possible minute,” said Sprowl.
“That puts everybody in a bad position because then we have to run around and try to find a spot for these animals. It makes it harder. If you know you’re going to be out, start looking for a place for your animals right away. It is the responsibility of the people who own them to take care of their animals or find some place to surrender them, and if they don’t do that they can be charged.”

Attempts to contact Ramage were unsuccessful, and messages left for Cernota were not returned.

(Monadnock Ledger Transcript - December 18, 2014)

Trial begins for Polk County alpaca ranch owner

OREGON -- The trial for a man who owns a Falls City ranch where Polk County deputies say they found 175 emaciated alpacas last year began with jury selection and opening statements Tuesday.
Robert Silver is charged with 17 counts of first-degree animal neglect and one count of second-degree animal neglect.

In December 2013, the Polk County Sheriff's Office seized the herd at Jocelyn's Alpaca Ranch on Parry Road in Falls City. Silver and his wife, Jocelyn, were indicted mid-January on two counts of felony animal neglect and 16 counts of misdemeanor animal neglect.

 

The sheriff's office compiled a report about complaints against the ranch owners regarding mistreatment of the animals on the 20-acre property. Deputies entered the ranch with a licensed veterinarian and reportedly found dead alpacas and evidence that every animal in the herd had not received basic care.

The sheriff's office obtained a warrant to impound all the alpacas. When they went back a second time, they found 30 dead alpacas and two more that couldn't stand.

The surviving alpacas were brought to the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine for immediate care and the Silvers were cited to appear in Polk County Circuit Court.

Robert Silver pleaded not guilty to the charges on Jan. 21, while Jocelyn Silver pleaded guilty and was convicted of one count of first-degree neglect and one count of second-degree neglect in June. She was sentenced to three years of supervised probation along with restitution fees amounting to more than $15,000, according to online court records.

After Polk County Circuit Judge Norman Hill delivered instructions to the 13-member jury, Jake Kamins, animal cruelty deputy district attorney for the State of Oregon, delivered his opening statements.

"You are going to hear about a business called Jocelyn's Alpaca Ranch," Kamins said.

The ranch started in 2006 when the Silvers moved to Oregon. According to Kamins, neither of them had any experience in caring for alpacas before purchasing the ranch and the animals.

"By December 2013, Jocelyn's Alpaca Ranch was a disaster," he said. "There were animals dropping dead in front of neighbors' eyes."

He said law enforcement went to the ranch after complaints and found some of the animals eating a tarp that covered them. They then hauled 17 dead alpacas off the property. Six of those dead animals were sent to the veterinary college at OSU to undergo an autopsy. It was determined that they died of starvation, Kamins said.

When authorities went back to the ranch a second time, they hauled 41 dead alpaca off the property.

"You'll here Mr. Silver thought there was some sort of virus running through the herd," Kamins said. "His attempts to make it better came down to selling a few animals."

Kamins said that Silver tried to find a market for the alpacas.

"He viewed these animals as a business and a business only."

Silver's attorney Timothy Park then stood before the jury and told them about the unfortunate circumstances that led to the demise of the ranch.

Park said that Silver inherited a significant amount of money and agreed to open an alpaca ranch based on his wife's wishes. At the time, they were able to sell a female alpaca for between $5,000 to $7,500.

 

"Shortly after they started buying those things, the market went down," Park said. "Eventually their money ran out."

When Jocelyn's Alpaca Ranch first opened, the owners were able to provide hay and pellets to the animals. But eventually they could only afford hay. They tried nutritional substitutes and sold eight or nine male alpacas.

"They cared for these animals. They didn't want to just sell them to anyone," Park said.

"They tried to make it go as much as they could with what they had available."

(Statesman Journal - Dec 9, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dead, starving alpacas on Falls City ranch lead to felony animal neglect charges
• Rescued Alpacas receiving treatment at OSU

Livestock is savaged in second dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- POLICE are hunting for dog owners following an attack on livestock in Steyning.

A baby alpaca was savaged last Thursday, the second attack of its kind in as many months.

Owner Lindy Moors said she could not believe it had happened again, despite an electric fence to protect her livestock.

Four-month-old alpaca Harry lost its mum a month after the birth and is now being bottle-fed at the property, in King Barn Lane.

Mrs Moors said the first attack was in September, when a dog escaped from its owners while they were blackberry picking.

Harry with its mother, before the baby alpaca was orphaned

“The dog entered my property and attacked all my goats, alpacas and horse,” she said. “One of the goats took the most severe of the injuries, but I was very concerned for my baby alpaca, who had only lost his mum a few weeks earlier.”

On that occasion, the owners of the dog accepted full responsibility and paid the vet’s bills. This time, however, the family ran off, having retrieved their dog from Mrs Moors’ field.

She said a man and two boys knocked on her door at 5pm on Thursday. They found the dog in the field, using a torch, but as the family left, Mrs Moors spotted Harry’s injuries.

“Harry had been attacked, savaged at the throat. I told the man and he, the dog and his boys ran off. I chased them but they sped off so fast, without turning the lights on, so I couldn’t get the registration.

“I can’t believe how irresponsible and how uncaring that man was. I phoned and took Harry straight to the vets, he had lost lots of blood and his clinical signs were very erratic.”

The baby alpaca was stabilised before an operation and is now home with two drains from the neck and various wounds to the throat.

“He is having to stay in a stable away from his friends until after Friday, when the vet will remove the drains and reassess him,” explained Mrs Moors.

“He isn’t happy being alone and I’m sure even more scared because of his experience.”

She is appealing for help to trace the owners of the dog.

“I just can’t believe this happened again, we have lived here for nearly 15 years and never had any trouble and now two dog attacks in as many months. Both dogs were with their owners, they weren’t strays. We have fencing all round with three rows of electric fence all at different heights.”

The car was a dark blue estate and the boys were aged about six and eight. They and a woman were seen and heard screaming in a neighbouring field and there were three dogs, two greyhounds or lurchers and one terrier.

Contact police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 479 of 21/11.

(West Sussex County Times - Dec 1, 2014)

Ohio: Dogs attack, kill nine alpacas on family farm; authorities give the dogs right back to the owner

OHIO -- Early Monday, Diana Pratt offered to go to the family barn in place of her 11-year-old daughter, granddaughter and a friend to take care of a familiar routine: feeding their nine alpacas.

Pratt was just outside of her home when she first encountered two large dogs in her driveway and tried to shoo them away.

Her husband, Mike Pratt, said the dogs started down the driveway heading away from the barn. But they ended up turning and disappearing outside of a fence by their barn where Diana was surprised to see them again.

“When she went down into the basement, she noticed one of the alpacas laying down and obviously injured. She happened to look across the pen, and the other two females are already dead laying there,” said Pratt.

Pratt said that the same two dogs then went inside the barn along with his wife and the dead alpacas.

“The two dogs had gotten back in the barn, and they were standing in the barn looking at her,” said Pratt.

Diana ran up the stairs from the basement area of the barn where the alpacas were penned, locked the door behind her and ran for the house to call the sheriff’s office.

She also called a neighbor to warn her of what was happening.

“She was hysterical. She said not to let my kids outside because there were two big dogs loose, and they had killed all their alpacas,” said Melissa Buck.

Mike Pratt said he was just getting home when he saw the dogs back in their driveway, covered in blood.

“They probably weighed 150 pounds apiece. I don’t know what kind they were. They had those big square heads on them like the bull mastiffs have,” he said.

Pratt believes the dogs got into the barn through a fence and another gate, then forced a board loose on a closed barn door.

Once inside, they were able to get inside the pens where the defenseless alpacas were kept.

“They had to be put up in a barn at night because we have coyotes here and we were always afraid the coyotes would put them down, and they can’t fight. All they have is toenails and pads like dogs on their feet so even if they kick you, they really don’t hurt.” said Pratt.

Deputies arrived just behind Pratt and were familiar with the dogs, which had apparently been wandering for several days from their home several miles away.

Summit County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Inspector Bill Holland said they had records of six previous calls about the same dogs including a call last October in which they were accused of killing a cat.

“They (deputies) had their guns out and drawn so they were going to put them down if they made an aggressive move, and the one sheriff for some reason said ‘hey let’s try this.’ He had a K-9 car, so it had the fence in it, and he opened the door and said ‘hey boys, let’s go for a ride’ and both dogs jumped in the sheriff’s cruiser,” said Pratt.

“It was horrific. I mean it was one of the worst things I had ever seen,” said Jarret Buck, a neighbor who helped clean up the aftermath.

“I mean I didn’t think dogs could do that to be honest with you,” said Buck, adding, “they were killing them for fun, that’s point blank. There was nothing really eaten — they were just killing them for fun.”

The dogs’ owner has been charged with a fourth degree misdemeanor for control of dogs.

Pratt said he had been told that dogs were being euthanized. Holland said that has not happened, and he did not expect them to be put down.

[In the video clip it says the dogs attacked and mauled to death a cat before this bloodbath.]

Diana Pratt said with their history, and given what the dogs did to all of their alpacas, it concerns her that it could be even worse if they were to get loose again.

“That is concerning, and they could attack a person or a child or something else. It’s not safe for them to be out there and not controlled,” she said.

(fox8.com - May 29, 2014)