During my time in Riverhead, Long Island this past weekend I went to an alpaca farm with my fiance so she could buy yarn, wool and other animal fibers to knit with. I watched as a man tried to demonstrate how to properly shear an alpaca and witnessed the chaotic aftermath when it all went terribly wrong. The animal seemed securely bound during the first half of the shearing, however when the gentleman tried to flip the animal over to remove the other side the alpaca was able to loosen the restraints and squirm free. The gentleman was caught off guard as the alpaca rose to his feet and trampled him while trying to escape the electric clippers. I noticed the man was in terrible pain from the trampling but he somehow managed to gain composure and pursue the half-shaved alpaca. I stood by and watched the alpaca and the man run around the pasture together in a dangerous game of cat and mouse and was flabbergasted to see it continue zig-zaging around the property and eventually on the road through on-coming traffic. It went on like this for quite a while, the old and tired farmer just trying to keep pace with the much more adept animal. At times, the alpaca would stand still just long enough for the man to approach with his rope and harness, then the alpaca would rear his head and spit directly in the man's face. It was a very bizarre scene and by now most of the children that were in attendance were in tears- terrified at the scene before them.
147.
6 years ago
