Submitted by J. Hudson on Wed, 30/07/2025 - 10:51
When two alpacas, Phoebe and Frankie, arrived at our hospital earlier this year, they had already been through something no animal, or owner, should ever experience. The pair were the only survivors of a devastating incident in which four other alpacas and a sheep on their farm were shot and killed in a senseless act of cruelty. One of the survivors, Phoebe, had been seriously injured. The other, Frankie, though physically unharmed, was visibly distressed and emotionally shaken.
Our on-call vet, Elly Po, responded immediately to the emergency, “It was 12 o’clock on a Sunday afternoon when I received Dawn’s phone call telling me that her alpacas had been shot and that two were alive but one was injured. I didn’t know what to expect as I drove to the farm. I vividly remember the adrenaline kicking in as I started walking towards the bodies.”
Elly already knew the farm and its animals. She had previously treated another of Dawn’s alpacas, Martha, “I met Dawn through Martha, who had a very unusual presentation of hypovitaminosis D. She developed a goose-stepping gait, which we shared videos of with other camelid vets. Her case was fascinating, and she ended up making a full recovery. Martha became quite well-known after that - so learning that she had been one of the alpacas killed that day broke my heart.”
The police were already on the scene when Elly arrived, and she joined Dawn in approaching the two surviving alpacas - Phoebe and Frankie, who were standing in the same paddock where the bodies of their fellow herd lay. Phoebe had clear wounds and was in pain.
Elly said “We caught Phoebe first. I cleaned and sutured her wounds, applied a rudimentary drainage system, and started her on antibiotics and pain relief. We then moved the animals to a safer location. It was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve had - part emergency care, part crime scene. Later, more police arrived, and I was asked if I could assist with their investigation. It felt like I’d stepped into a CSI episode - the mixture of emotions was overwhelming: adrenaline, sadness, anger, and disbelief.”
Although Phoebe had received immediate treatment, her wound failed to hold together, and the decision was made to admit her to our hospital for more specialist care, alongside her daughter, Frankie. Phoebe underwent further surgical repair and several weeks of intensive wound management. Her care brought together an exceptional team of specialists from across the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital. Surgeons from our Soft Tissue Surgery Team alongside the Anaesthesia Team, led the complex surgical procedures, supported by our experienced colleagues in the Imaging Department, whose detailed diagnostics guided every step of the treatment. Day-to-day management, ongoing wound care, and patient handling were carried out by members of our Farm Animal Team, who provided expert clinical care and ensured Phoebe remained as comfortable and stress-free as possible throughout her stay. Her care was a true example of our in-house, multi-disciplinary approach, with teams from across the hospital working together under one roof, and our Cambridge Vet School students observing and learning from every stage of her treatment.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone involved from clinicians and nurses to imaging specialists and support staff whose combined efforts and dedication made such a difference to Phoebe’s recovery. It was a true team effort, and one that exemplifies the depth of compassion and professionalism that underpins everything we do.
Elly said, “Phoebe never stopped fighting. Her healing was slow at times, but she always showed spirit. And Frankie, her daughter, never left her side. She was so protective and caring throughout their time in hospital.”
Owner Dawn French, said, “Elly was incredible. Her passion for the animals in her care really shone through. She worked all day that Sunday and even stayed later to help the police deal with the scene. It was a horrific situation, but she gave everything.”
Thanks to the dedicated care from our staff and the resilience of Phoebe and Frankie, both alpacas were eventually able to return home.
While nothing can undo the trauma of what they experienced, Phoebe and Frankie’s recovery is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human-animal bond and the impact of skilled, compassionate veterinary care in the most difficult circumstances.
Interestingly, before the incident, Phoebe and Frankie were known as the most nervous and flighty members of the herd. Since their time in hospital, both have become noticeably calmer and more trusting - even accepting a halter without a fuss.
The investigation into the shootings remains ongoing. In the meantime, Dawn, Phoebe and Frankie are focusing on moving forward and finding some peace after what has been an incredibly painful chapter in their lives.
