Llama farm reels from attack

Canine killers nabbed; police look for dogs’ owners

By Jim Haley

Herald Writer

LAKEWOOD — Snohomish County animal control officers believe they have captured the canine culprits responsible for killing one llama and seriously injuring two others in an attack Sunday.

But officers are still seeking the owners of the two dogs, which were found running loose Monday in the neighborhood after somebody reported seeing them, said Carol Markland, owner of a small llama farm near Lake Goodwin.

A German shepherd and bull mastiff broke into a fenced pasture about 7:30 a.m. Sunday and attacked three of the seven llamas there. The dead llama is owned by Markland’s sister, JoAnne Trudel of Bothell. Markland was caring for it.

Markland and her daughter, Angela, 16, rushed outside when they spotted one llama bleeding extensively from a dog attack. They came across the two dogs attacking one llama in the stall of a barn and later found the body of the third llama.

Deputies were on the lookout for the dogs following the attack, said Jan Jorgensen, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County sheriff.

"We were quite concerned because that llama was killed viciously," Jorgensen said. "We want to make sure it doesn’t happen to any more animals or people."

When the owners are located, they won’t get the dogs back because "they’re not safe," Jorgensen said. They also face citations for having nuisance animals and leash law violations, she said.

The Marklands moved here in August from Michigan, bringing half of the llamas they owned there.

Unemployed and trying to start a small llama business, Markland said the attack is a major setback from a business standpoint and financially.

Not only does the attack mean some big veterinarian bills — running to $4,000 or more — but it also puts a crimp in her ability to make the herd grow.

One injured male, Lexour, had plenty of gashes on his hindquarters and one testicle bitten off. She doesn’t know if he can be put to use again as a stud.

However, his bloodline may still continue. One of the four females in the Markland herd is pregnant by Lexour.

A smaller llama, Sunny, has neck wounds, and she’s not sure he will survive.

"When we saw him, the dogs were on top of him," Markland said.

On Tuesday, the Marklands were tending to the four uninjured females and a large male, Apache. Apache had been at the veterinarian receiving treatment for being poisoned when the attack happened.

Animal control officers asked the Marklands to identify the dogs. They did.

"There were gash marks in the face of the mastiff where possibly llamas kicked at them trying to get free," Markland said.

Inside the Markland home, a wall is plastered with ribbons their animals have won competing in several states. There are trophies in a case, and Apache was captured in a painting that decorates the living room.

Markland said she was really down on Sunday, but she’s starting to get her sense of humor back.

"I have to," she said. "We just have to pull out of this nosedive, but it will take a while to get over it."

You can call Herald Writer Jim Haley at 425-339-3447

or send e-mail to haley@heraldnet.com.

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