A 67-year-old Opelousas woman is charged with cruelty to animals after shooting her pet llama, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz in a news release.
According to a report, Madeline Heldt Bourgeois, of the 1600 block of Montgomery Road, was working in her pasture when the llama attacked her.
“Bourgeois stated she hit the llama repeatedly in an attempt to stop the attack. Once at the gate she was finally able to exit the pasture, then went into her residence and retrieved her gun. Bourgeois returned to the pasture and shot the llama, hitting it three times,” Guidroz reported.
Deputies found the llama limping in the pasture and contacted animal control, which took possession of the animal.
The animal control director, Stacey Alleman, provided photos showing X-rays of the three bullets that were located in the llama, he said. Due to the bullet locations in the body, the animal had to be taken to the LSU Veterinary Clinic in Baton Rouge.
Guidroz said, “According to the law, Bourgeois had every right to defend herself while being attacked, but was no longer in danger after escaping the pasture. Ms. Bourgeois retrieved a gun and then returned and shot the llama, which constitutes the charge of felony cruelty to animals. Bourgeois should have called a vet or animal control for assistance.”
