Larry the llama shot dead by 'heartless' poachers at Northumberland animal sanctuary
Police say Larry had been at the sanctuary for five years and was a "loving, harmless animal gunned down by suspected poachers".
Thursday 28 February 2019 09:13, UK
Poachers who "heartlessly" shot dead a llama at an animal sanctuary in Northumberland have cause public outrage, police say.
An investigation has been launched after Larry the llama was gunned down at the Hilltop Farm Animal Sanctuary near Longhorsley, Northumberland, last week.
Poachers are suspected of entering the farm overnight before shooting the animal, say Northumbria Police.
Larry's body was discovered the next morning in a field which he shared with a herd of alpacas.
Police have warned poachers against carrying out illegal hunting and say they will look to identify offenders and bring them to court.
Sergeant Mick Aspey said: "This heartless shooting has understandably led to outrage in the community and on social media.
"Larry had been at the sanctuary for five years and was a loving, harmless animal that has been gunned down by suspected poachers.
"It has been reported to us that those responsible may have mistaken Larry for a deer but even so it is illegal to hunt animals in this way.
"We know that poaching can be a problem in our rural communities and I want to reassure people that we take it seriously.
"It is a criminal offence and, where possible, we will always look to identify offenders and put them before the courts."