6 llamas killed in attack near Louisville Zoo

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Louisville Metro Animal Services officials are investigating after six llamas were killed and seven others were injured in an attack.

The attack happened in the 1500 block of Schuff Lane, located near the Louisville Zoo, on Monday.

The llamas belonged to Louisville Llama Farm, and the owners say the attack is the most gruesome attack they have ever seen. The animals were more than livestock, they were pets.

"They are really gentle and really smart, they are so easy to get attached to,” Dale Hill said.

Hill and his wife Caroline Gillette named each llama with names like Felicity and Floyd. The animals share food and a living space.

“There have been tears and for my wife it is a hard time talking about it with anybody without tearing up,” Hill said.

Willette woke up to a violent scene Monday morning. A fence was broken and covered in blood where Hill says one of the llamas tried to escape. A lot of the injuries occurred on the animals' back sides. The llamas were left intact but bloody.

“It was like having a pet dog only like a 500-pound dog,” Marry Mosley said. “Whatever attacked them is pretty frightening.”

Mosely lives near the farm and says she's heart broken by the death of six llamas.

“It was a pretty strong pack or few animals that did this because these were big animals and the llamas were so gentle,” Mosley said.

Metro Animal Services believes the attack was carried out by a canine, but the agency can't confirm whether it was a coyote, dog or other large animal.

Hill said he doesn’t think it was coyote because he has watched the llamas stand them down before.

Whatever attacked the llamas Hill says their nature makes the loss harder.

“That’s the other thing about llamas that makes it easy to get attached, to they seem to have their best friends,” Hill said.

With several coyote sightings reported nearby, LMAS released a list of precautions for people to take:

• Do not approach a coyote
• Do not leave small children unattended while outside
• Keep pets inside and supervise pets while in the yard
• Do not leave pet food outside
• Secure garbage containers
• Contact animal control if you spot a coyote

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