LENOX -- Police are investigating the deaths of two domesticated llamas who were shot by arrows over the weekend -- an act their owner called "brutal and senseless."
The animals were found dead with arrows lodged behind their rib cages, and an arrow on the ground nearby, according to Kate Plourd, a Massachusetts environmental police spokeswoman. Plourd said police currently have no suspects in the case. Environmental police were called Sunday at 10 a.m. by the llamas' owner, Lisa Dachinger.
"It is a horrible story," said Dachinger. "It blows my mind that somebody would do something like this."
The incident occurred at Dachinger's farm, River Valley, a Community Supported Agriculture farm located on New Lenox Road, near the Pittsfield border. Dachinger raises sheep and uses the llamas as protection for the flock from coyotes and other predators.
The killings, Dachinger said, likely occurred between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, since she and her daughters drove by the llamas Saturday night and they were fine. She said it couldn't have been an accident, since the llamas rest near a street light and whoever shot them took the time to snap off the arrows at the entry point.
"There's a big difference between hunting and killing," she said. "I'm pro-hunters, but not pro-murder, and that's what this was."
The two were among four llamas Dachinger owns, and she had them for three years as
Dachinger said there is also a reward being put forth by community members for the arrest and conviction of any culprit, and praised the outpouring of support and outrage from people around the area.
Anyone with information on the killings is asked to call the Massachusetts Environmental Police at (800) 632-8075.
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