ALPACA farm owner Peter Watt said he has been left devastated after one of his animals was mauled to death by a dog that disappeared from the scene.

Mr Watt, who has owned the Ashton Lane Alpaca Farm on Mudmead Lane in Steeple Ashton for 10 years, made the horrifying discovery on Wednesday morning on a routine check of all the animals.

He said: “I went down to check on all of them and that’s when I saw that one of the alpacas had its throat taken out.

“I had to have it put down because it was left for dead and the dog must have gone through the hedge and disappeared.”

Mr Watt added that the five-year-old male alpaca was the only targeted animal in the paddock of six and believes the dog lead the animal on a chase before pinning him to the fence.

He added: “At this point, we were all in total shock as the attack was surrounded by the other animals. There was blood all over the ground and it was just a mess and obviously we have to call the vet immediately and he had no choice but to put him down.”

Alpacas are known to lower their head and to curve their neck toward the ground when they feel threatened which makes Mr Watt believe that it could have been a small or medium sized dog that carried out the attack.

Mr Watt said: “I am suspicious that it is a small dog because the gaps aren’t that big to get through and all it had to do was walk in and out.”

Mr Watt said that the attacked alpaca was worth £1,000 and he has had to fork out an additional £100 for a call-out veterinary bill and £150 for the animal’s disposal.

He now hopes dog owners in the area will come forward if they have noticed their dog acting out of character or covered in blood.

He added: “The police have gone around to houses in the area looking for where the dog could have gone to through near the field.

“It is only speculation on what dog it could be but it isn’t a very nice situation to be in.”

PC Emily Thomas, of Melksham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said if anyone has any information about the dog or the attack to call 101 and speak to an officer.