Woman’s rage as criminals and dogs ‘terrorize’ her alpaca farm

An alpaca owner lives in fear as her sanctuary has become a hotspot for criminals and deadly dog ​​attacks. The animal lover from Hinckley has raised alpacas for more than 20 years but said her animals were no longer safe.

Speaking to LeicestershireLive, the owner, who did not want to be named, shared her horror at the increasing number of people breaking the Countryside Code and ‘terrorising’ her animals. One incident even saw one of her pregnant alpacas abort her baby “due to stress”.

She said: “He was fully formed at eight months gestation, alpacas have an 11-and-a-half month gestation period, so he was premature. It wouldn’t have been if they had followed the right paths.”

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The farm owner, who has more than a dozen alpacas, says the increasing levels of intrusion are causing her and her animals anxiety. She claims there are criminals on the property “every two weeks”.

She said: “There is a permissive footpath through the field, clearly signposted and marked on maps, despite this people have been trespassing in areas where they shouldn’t be, making me feel nervous and angry. Alpacas don’t like it. either; he’s scarrying.”

The farmer also recounted instances of off-lead dogs attacking his alpacas. She said: “We had two emergency vets last week for different animals. In the past, a dog killed one of my alpacas, tearing it to pieces.”

The problem isn’t just limited to dogs, as people have gone onto the land for picnics and have even been caught playing tennis – actions which the farmer says have spooked the alpacas. The farmer said, “It’s my land, I bought it. If people want to do those activities, they should go to a park or buy their own land.”

Despite clear signs indicating where visitors can walk, many still venture onto private land, often being rude when asked to leave. The farmer made it clear that her alpacas are her pets and deserve the same respect as any other domestic animal.

She said: “People wouldn’t go into someone’s garden to touch their dog, they shouldn’t come into my fields either.”

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: “We cover a wide rural area and pride ourselves on our extensive network of clear road markings. As you walk into the county, you’ll notice yellow-tipped wooden signposts that point out paths. Please remember to always follow these routes.

“By leaving designated paths, you risk trespassing and causing distress to livestock and other farmed animals such as alpacas, especially when walking with dogs. Please keep dogs under control and on leashes.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs offered no comment when contacted by LeicestershireLive.

What is the rural code?

The Countryside Code is a set of guidelines designed to help visitors and land managers in England and Wales enjoy and protect the countryside responsibly.

Respect everyone

• Courtesy and consideration: Be considerate of those who live, work and enjoy the countryside. This includes being friendly and responsible and greeting those you meet.
• Leave the gates and properties as you find them: Always leave gates as you find them, whether open or closed, to prevent animals from wandering off.
• Parking: Do not block access to parking gates or driveways and provide access for emergency vehicles.
• Follow local signs: Keep to marked paths unless wider access is available and follow all local signs and directions.

Protect the natural environment

• Control dogs: Keep dogs under control, especially around livestock and always on a lead around farm animals. This helps prevent stress for the animals and ensures safety for both the dog and the wildlife.
• Do not interfere with animals and machinery: Avoid disturbing or feeding livestock and wildlife and do not interfere with farm machinery.
• Protect wildlife and plants: Leave natural places as you find them, do not uproot plants and keep your distance from wild animals to avoid stressing them, especially during sensitive periods such as when they have young or in bad weather.
• Keep water sources clean: Avoid polluting water sources and do not interfere with water troughs used by animals.
• Take the trash home: Litter can be dangerous to people, animals and wildlife, so always take your litter home and pick up anything you find.

Enjoy the outdoors responsibly

• Plan: Check the route and local conditions before you go and make sure you are prepared for the weather and terrain.
• Stay safe: Wear appropriate clothing and footwear and consider not walking alone. Be aware of your surroundings and any potential hazards.
• Avoid fires: The countryside is vulnerable to fire, especially in dry weather. Use stoves for cooking instead of open fires and make sure all matches and cigarettes are completely extinguished.
• Respect other users: Behave responsibly and considerately towards other recreational users. Cyclists should yield to walkers and horse riders on footpaths and all users should be mindful of each other’s safety.

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