Alpacas killed at farm in Essex

Essex, Conn. (WTNH) - Four alpacas were slashed and stabbed to death Friday at farm in Essex. At least one of them was also shot, authorities said. It's not the first time animals have been found dead at the farm.

State police are investigating the incident at Alpacas @ Applesauce Acres on Bushy Hill Road in the Ivoryton section of Essex.

According to state police, the alpacas were found in a pen next to Bushy Hill Road. There were several other animals in the pen which were not harmed.

The investigations have ruled out any wild animal attacks, officials said in a statement.

A neighbor told News 8's Ali Reed a similar incident occurred at this Alpaca farm about a month ago. Resident State Trooper TFC Kerry Taylor, who was called to the farm, has been there twice before in the past four months for the deaths of other alpacas.

"You can't imagine they're such puppy like, gentle creatures Alpacas, and so to imagine somebody having a violent attitude toward an alpaca is almost impossible," said Rev. Peter Larom, neighbor.

The senseless, brutal killings have upset neighbors who often take their kids to visit the Alpacas.

"How do you explain something like this to a young child who's been coming and petting these animals for weeks and months," said Larom.

"These charges are serious in merely the fact that innocent animals are being slaughtered, but they are criminal charges and they are potential punishment of either incarceration and/or monetary fines," said Lt. Paul Vance State Police.

Anyone who may have seen vehicles or people along Brushy Hill Road overnight is asked to call state police and talk about what they saw.