Cambridgeshire: Four alpacas and a sheep shot dead
27th March 2025
Four alpacas and a sheep were shot dead in East Hatley, near Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed.
The officers are appealing for information following the incident that happened between 6pm on Saturday 22nd March and 8.30am on Sunday 23rd March off Main Street.
A fifth alpaca also received a gunshot wound to its face but survived.
The force has carried out house-to-house enquiries, and investigating officers are now asking for anyone with information about the incident to get in contact.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the Rural Crime Action 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.”
‘It’s just senseless’
The animals owner, Dawn French, told the BBC that she kept the herd of six alpacas and one ewe in a field rented from a farm a couple of miles away from her smallholding at Tadlow for the last six years.
She said that the ewe was so badly mauled by a dog it had to be put down, she said. The injured alpaca, Phoebe, was treated by a vet.
Ms French told the media: “The bullet or shot has caught her on the side of her face and given her quite a nasty wound and paralysis – we’re hoping it’s just swelling and temporary and the nerve isn’t severed in the incident.
“They’re lovely creatures, they’ve all got their own characters, and it’s just senseless – I can’t understand how anyone could think of doing this to animals so sweet, so harmless, so inquisitive.”
Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage which they feel is relevant is urged to get in touch.
Information can be submitted online or by calling 101 quoting reference 35/20844/25. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Read more rural crime news.
