Dog owners come forward after pet alpacas killed in vicious attack at Callington Family Day Care

The owners of two dogs believed responsible for fatally mauling three alpacas and injuring another at a Hills daycare centre have come forward.

The owners of two dogs that killed three alpacas and injured a fourth at an Adelaide Hills childcare centre have come forward, raising hopes the animals will be put down.

Five days after the attack at Callington Family Day Care, the dogs’ owners visited the centre on Saturday morning.

Jodie Burr, owner of the Mioshi Park alpaca stud farm the alpacas originally came from, posted about the visit on social media.

“I would like to ask people to hold back on harassing them whilst we negotiate with them to have the dogs destroyed so thatthis never happens again and that the town is once again safe,” she wrote.

“ … all we want is for the dogs to be euthanised which it appears they will be doing.”

Ms Burr told the Sunday Mail she was pleased the owners had come forward.

“But I’m not relieved yet, because the dogs are still in the community,” she said.

The childcare centre’s owner, Mandy Dolman, would not comment due to an ongoing investigation by Mount Barker District Council.

The attacks occurred on the evening of Sunday, September 5, with Ms Dolman spotting the injured animals early Monday morning.

“The children are being supported by myself and Family Day Care to deal with any emotions they have over this as the alpacas were here for therapy, they were trained to be led around by the children and to give that enrichment of learning how to care for an animal,” she said.

“The last thing I want is to lose my business over this because of someone else’s dogs.”

Happier times: Kids at Callington Family Day Care feeding Sid and Jasper (the sole survivor). Picture: Callington Childcare Centre

On Wednesday, Ms Burr said the loss of the three alpacas would be felt by many as they had been known for their gentleness, with the animals even attending local weddings and events.

“Mandy brought them because they were good with kids; they were extremely calm and wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Ms Burr said.

“Then the attacks occurred on Mandy’s property and what people need to remember is that she lives right in the centre of the township, opposite the school, opposite the kindy and the oval – so there are a lot of children on their bikes and mums with babies.

“So having these dogs around is not only extremely dangerous for the alpacas but the community as they could attack again and next time it could be a child or a baby.”

The council was contacted for comment.