A PREGNANT alpaca was killed and three others were savaged when a pair of dogs escaped and ran wild.

Breeder David Taylor said he was facing losses and vets bills running into thousands in the wake of the attack at Farmtastic near Dauntsey last week. It was the second time in two years his livestock had been mauled.

Vets were called to treat the animals and the police said they were investigating the incident as criminal damage.

Mr Taylor said the surviving alpacas, the mainstay of his business, had been badly traumatised. “They were all pregnant. We don’t even know if they are going to lose their babies. The one that is my favourite won’t even come near me anymore.”

At least one of them was would need veterinary to give birth if her pregnancy did go to full term. He said the vet had been horrified at the injuries.

He was alerted to the attack while on holiday and said the dogs were seen with blood on them.

“They are like wolves,” he said. “I’m worried that it could have been anyone.”

As well as fearing for the safety of his young grandchildren and visitors to the attraction, he was concerned about the other animals including a tame fallow deer called Fred, a baby donkey, sheep, reindeer and rheas.

The incident came in the same week a dog was shot at Crudwell because it was worrying chickens.

And several weeks ago two calves drowned in the river at Purton because they were chased by dogs and became so frightened they broke out of their field.

Sgt Martin Alvis from Malmesbury Police urged owners to keep their pets under control. He said nobody wanted to see dogs shot. “But it is really important to highlight the issue because landowners and farmers can do it.”