A group of alpaca and vicuna in Dublin are being moved to South Carolina, according to the town’s police chief.
Police Chief Tim Suokko said Monday afternoon that he saw a trailer loading the animals up around 12:30 p.m. When he stopped to talk to the driver, he was told the animals were being taken to South Carolina.
“It’s probably because the owner is sick of the complaints, that’s my guess,” said Suokko.
Suokko said he didn’t know much more about what was happening, as he hadn’t had a chance to speak with the animals’ owner, Daniel Ramage.
A New Hampshire state veterinarian ruled on Thursday that the alpaca and vicuna living on Route 101 are not neglected.
Veterinarian Stephen Crawford, DVM, visited the alpaca/vicuna farm on Thursday morning, according to Suokko.
After checking the property and condition of the animals, the vet found no “clear and imminent danger to the animals’ health or life” that would warrant seizing the animals at the moment, adding that they do not appear to be neglected.
“Today we saw approximately 15 animals. All appeared to be in good body condition,” said Crawford, in a statement sent to the police department. “Fleece condition was good – clean, not matted or tangled. The space afforded in the pasture is more than adequate for these animals. Hay and water are available free choice.”
Suokko said the health and well-bring of the animals has been an “ongoing saga” in town, adding that despite a recent death on the property, he hasn’t seen anything that would indicate the animals are being neglected. Suokko said numerous passersby have called about the animals in the past.
Suokko said the alpacas do have a caretaker and that the owner Ramage is not in the area right now.
The Ledger-Transcript had a short conversation with Ramage on Monday afternoon, with Ramage saying he would call back after Monday’s deadline.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.