Four alpacas have been mauled to death, while two others were seriously injured, after getting attacked by a pair of Rottweilers.
Cambridgeshire Police received reports of the attack at a property in Wisbech St Mary shortly after 6.30am on March 24.
Officers from the force’s Rural Crime Action Team attended the scene and took both dogs into custody.
The constabulary confirmed an investigation into livestock worrying offences remains active.
Local residents expressed their shock at the incident, with one describing it as “so awful” and another calling it “so very sad”.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the Rural Crime Action Team, said: “This was an extremely distressing incident for all involved and I would like to thank the victim and the dog owner for continuing to be cooperative with our investigation.”
The officer emphasised that worrying livestock constitutes a criminal offence under British law.
He urged pet owners across the county’s rural areas to keep their animals properly secured and on leads to prevent similar tragedies.
Four alpacas have been killed and two others seriously injured
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CAMBRIDGESHIRE CONSTABULARY
Both the farm owner and the person responsible for the Rottweilers have been working with detectives as enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the early morning attack.
The attack occurred just days after significant changes to legislation designed to protect farm animals came into effect.
The Dogs Protection of Livestock Amendment Act 2025, introduced last month, expanded the legal definition of livestock to encompass both llamas and alpacas for the first time.
This means the Wisbech St Mary incident falls directly under the new provisions, which strengthen protections for these animals against dog attacks.
Officials have taken two Rottweilers into custody
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Sergeant Nuttall highlighted the timing, noting that the amended legislation now classifies alpacas alongside traditional farm animals, making offences involving them subject to the same legal consequences as attacks on sheep or cattle.
Cambridgeshire Police issued guidance for dog owners in the wake of the fatal attack, advising them to always use leads when near livestock, regardless of how well-trained their pets may be.
The force also recommended observing local signage and seasonal restrictions, noting that leads are mandatory on open access land between 1 March and 31 July.
Pet owners should ensure their property boundaries remain secure to prevent escapes, police added.
For farmers and landowners, the constabulary suggested installing clear warning signs, positioning water troughs away from public footpaths, and considering electric fencing as a deterrent.
Officers also recommended CCTV or trail cameras to gather evidence of any future incidents.
