A HERD of alpacas were terrorised by a dog.

Police are investigating the incident which happened at the Hensting Alpacas sanctuary.

It comes three years after 76 chickens were killed and three alpacas seriously hurt by two runaway labradors.

This time a black labrador was seen swimming across the River Itchen and running into the field and frightening the animals by running and jumping at them - it is not known whether it bite any of the alpacas.

Two of the female alpacas which were pregnant and were attacked had “severe shock” according to owner of Hensting Derek Moore.

Mr Moore said: "Two of the heavily pregnant females were in shock, and another of the alpacas was limping on its back foot.

"It is a nightmare it is quite common though but the good thing is now there's more enforcement on this."

One eyewitness said she saw the dog swim across the river and then run at the alpacas, however she said she did not see it bite any of them.

It is understood that a woman was with the dog that 'attacked' them, and she desperately tried to call the out of control dog back.

Eyewitness Polly Perry said: "I saw a lady walking with her dog and her black Labrador swam across the river to chase around a field of alpacas, it lasted about 15 minutes and the owner was trying to call her dog back.

"It was jumping up at them and it looked like it wanted to play but then it looked like it wanted to bite them, the alpacas were running and trying to escape."

"The owner was mortified and screaming at the dog to come back, the other lady that was running along she said to her this is unacceptable behaviour you need to get that dog back, you need to run down that track into the field."

She said it appeared that the alpacas had been herded into an area of the field, before the dog ran back to its owner.

She added: "I am glad none of the alpacas were killed I felt sorry for them they are stuck over there and if something attacks them it is a shame they are in that situation where dogs can get across the river."

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said:" We received a report on January 15 about an alpaca being injured following a dog attack at Brambridge Park Garden Centre in Kiln Lane.

"The incident is reported to have happened between 11am and 11.15am on January 15.

"The dog was described as a black Labrador and the dog owner has been described as a woman wearing a pink coat.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting 44170017801."