Llamas are domestic and require our support to keep and maintain their safety. I have placed several llamas with new homes and always evaluate the home on several points, including a safe environment. This is a warning that you can lose your llamas to a hidden danger that is difficult to ascertain. Don’t let your dogs run with your llamas - and if you see roaming dogs in your neighborhood, call animal control – they could kill your llama herd. I recently got a call from one of my llama adopters about this tragic event. This is a tragic story that I will share to hopefully prevent more killings.
My adopter had been given a llama who she named Tina. She fell in love with Tina and recognized that Tina needed companionship and called me about 4 months later to adopt one or more llamas. There was a neighbor to Tina who had an in-tact male who once or twice had come to visit, having gotten out of his pen (which males will try to do, if possible). They did not breed since I believe Tina spit him off and he was returned to the owner in time before any breeding could happen. My adopter was not interested in breeding – just companionship for Tina.
After my inspections and satisfaction that this was a good home, last April, I brought three llamas over to live with Tina. It was a great match as Tina right away started to follow the other three around and bond with them. They got along great. I checked on the llama herd 2 or 3 times and all was well.
I got the call two weeks ago that stunned me. Among the tears and pain, I learned that the family of three llamas were killed by roaming dogs (in fact they were significantly fed upon). The pictures were gruesome and hard for me to believe so much damage was done without anyone hearing any of it. Tina was alive but so badly injured I ultimately had to have her euthanized at the veterinarians and drive her to the crematorium for disposal. It was very emotional and difficult still as I am typing this.
Four llamas had lived together for about a year on one acre with the house on site, a good family of 5 also raising chickens and two small dogs (who were not part of the crime). The dogs that did this were very savage and yet where likely someone’s family pets in the area. I became worried for the safety of small children in the area and the other llama in the neighborhood. A report was filed with Animal Control who were provided pictures and descriptions - a witness seeing a Rottweiler with a German Shephard. The German Shephard was caught on a security camera and was wearing a collar – no tags. Animal Control set traps and caught the Shephard who was euthanized. Other dogs are being trapped and I am not sure of their fate. What can behave like a well-tempered family pet can all maim and kill animals as large as llamas. The neighbor is sure his male llama is mean and will be fine – I hope so, but I worry that if all the dogs are not caught, his will be next.
this issue is now a high priority when placing llamas and I am sending his out as a warning to all those who have llamas. If there are roaming dogs (even one dog has been known to bring down a llama) that is an indicator of a safety issue. Dogs come in many varieties: size, temperament, training, etc. However, what I have just witnessed makes me very concerned about having dogs able to get inside of a llama enclosure. The friendly and obedient dog that is a family pet can turn into a vicious killer when triggered. The pictures of the aftermath are too gruesome to publish.
I am also a dog lover and have two of my own that are of the herding type. I don’t allow them to enter my llama areas and have chainlink fencing. This is why barbed wire is not sufficient. Given the loose dog culture around the rural areas of New Mexico, this is a tough problem. We need everyone to be vigilant and to spread the word that loose dogs are unacceptable.
My adopter had been given a llama who she named Tina. She fell in love with Tina and recognized that Tina needed companionship and called me about 4 months later to adopt one or more llamas. There was a neighbor to Tina who had an in-tact male who once or twice had come to visit, having gotten out of his pen (which males will try to do, if possible). They did not breed since I believe Tina spit him off and he was returned to the owner in time before any breeding could happen. My adopter was not interested in breeding – just companionship for Tina.
After my inspections and satisfaction that this was a good home, last April, I brought three llamas over to live with Tina. It was a great match as Tina right away started to follow the other three around and bond with them. They got along great. I checked on the llama herd 2 or 3 times and all was well.
I got the call two weeks ago that stunned me. Among the tears and pain, I learned that the family of three llamas were killed by roaming dogs (in fact they were significantly fed upon). The pictures were gruesome and hard for me to believe so much damage was done without anyone hearing any of it. Tina was alive but so badly injured I ultimately had to have her euthanized at the veterinarians and drive her to the crematorium for disposal. It was very emotional and difficult still as I am typing this.
Four llamas had lived together for about a year on one acre with the house on site, a good family of 5 also raising chickens and two small dogs (who were not part of the crime). The dogs that did this were very savage and yet where likely someone’s family pets in the area. I became worried for the safety of small children in the area and the other llama in the neighborhood. A report was filed with Animal Control who were provided pictures and descriptions - a witness seeing a Rottweiler with a German Shephard. The German Shephard was caught on a security camera and was wearing a collar – no tags. Animal Control set traps and caught the Shephard who was euthanized. Other dogs are being trapped and I am not sure of their fate. What can behave like a well-tempered family pet can all maim and kill animals as large as llamas. The neighbor is sure his male llama is mean and will be fine – I hope so, but I worry that if all the dogs are not caught, his will be next.
this issue is now a high priority when placing llamas and I am sending his out as a warning to all those who have llamas. If there are roaming dogs (even one dog has been known to bring down a llama) that is an indicator of a safety issue. Dogs come in many varieties: size, temperament, training, etc. However, what I have just witnessed makes me very concerned about having dogs able to get inside of a llama enclosure. The friendly and obedient dog that is a family pet can turn into a vicious killer when triggered. The pictures of the aftermath are too gruesome to publish.
I am also a dog lover and have two of my own that are of the herding type. I don’t allow them to enter my llama areas and have chainlink fencing. This is why barbed wire is not sufficient. Given the loose dog culture around the rural areas of New Mexico, this is a tough problem. We need everyone to be vigilant and to spread the word that loose dogs are unacceptable.
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