Mechelen –
Three stray dogs entered Planckendael Zoo last week and bit two guanacos to death. A third was injured. The police are investigating the facts.
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It was the keepers of the guanacos, wild llamas from South America, who found the two animals dead on Thursday, November 5, morning. “The three dogs were still there at the time,” says Amanda Wielemans van Planckendael. “The caretakers took care of them until the police arrived. That was not difficult: the animals were not aggressive towards them. ” It was not about wild dogs, but about pets.
It is a mystery how the dogs entered the zoo at night or very early in the morning. The police are now investigating this, says Dirk Van de Sande, spokesman for the Mechelen-Willebroek police zone. “We have drawn up a report and the investigation into the exact circumstances is ongoing.”
It was a blow for the caretakers. “Of course, those are animals they love to see and have been taking care of for a long time. It is a very unfortunate thing ”, says Wielemans. There are now three guanacos in Planckendael. “One of them was bitten by the dogs as well and limped a bit, but is getting better and is walking outside again.”
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