A pet llama who was shot last week by his owner in Opelousas is on the mend.
The llama named Earl is in the care of St. Landry Parish Animal Control and Rescue after suffering gunshot wounds and a fractured rib.
According to a Facebook post, the staff at St. Landry Parish Animal Control and Rescue credits doctors and students at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for saving Earl’s life.
Earl's LIFE saving team came out to bid Earl SAFE travels. THANKS LSU Farm and Large Animal Veterinary Services Thanks…
Posted by St. Landry Parish Animal Control & Rescue on Friday, February 22, 2019
St. Landry Parish Animal Control and Rescue received Earl shortly after he was injured. Animal Control Director Stacey Alleman then reached out to Dr. Mirza at LSU since, according to Alleman, few veterinarians in the area treat llamas.
Thanks to the generosity of Mirza and his students, Earl stayed with them for six days and seven nights, receiving around-the-clock care.
Mirza believed Earl was well enough to return to the care of those at St. Landry Parish Animal Control and Rescue, which is where he is now.
“Earl seems most content, a little uneasy, and that’s expected,” Alleman said. “We brush him and try to keep him relaxed.”
She went on to say he continues to receive care and antibiotics daily.
When the llama is fully healed, the next step for animal control is to find Earl a nonprofit rescue with experience with llamas.
Earl was shot Feb. 15 by his owner after the owner claimed Earl attacked her. The owner was arrested for animal cruelty because deputies say the woman shot her pet llama after escaping from the pasture.
