A disability community is in mourning after the shooting death of an alpaca in southern New South Wales.
Freddy was part of Hildasid Farm in Wagga Wagga, where people living with a disability can enhance their creative skills and connect with nature.
Police are investigating after he was killed in a paddock on Saturday evening.
Freddy is believed to have been shot from the road.
Cathie Smith, the community engagement manager at Kurrajong, the farm's operator, said Freddy was one of three alpacas at the facility and that was much loved by clients and the community.
"It's terribly, terribly sad and it was certainly a distressing few days — firstly finding Freddy, and then having to go through the police process," she said.
'Lovely relationship'
Ms Smith said it was important to look beyond the "cruel act" at the benefits of animals being part of people's lives.
"Freddy has been getting ever more close and able to be near our people with a disability who are part of Hildasid Farm," she said.
"It takes a huge amount of confidence for someone with a disability who may never had encountered animals, and for some people certainly not seen alpacas, to suddenly be developing this lovely relationship."
Ms Smith said many clients had started to develop confidence through their interaction with Freddy.
She recalled a moment with a non-verbal woman who had little experience being around animals.
"Just recently the staff put some food on her hand and she developed the confidence to put her hand out and as the animal licked her hand she just threw her head back," she said.
"It was just a look of sheer delight and to see her eyes just glow from the excitement and the interaction with the animal, I think just sums it up beautifully."
Riverina Police District Acting Inspector Alison Molyneux said there were no leads as to who shot Freddy at this stage, but investigators believed a hunting-style rifle was used.
She said police were seeking information from the community and that it was an unusual incident.
"It's the first that I've heard of it in a long time," Acting Inspector Molyneux said.
"I'm not sure what the cause was, what the motive is behind it, but hopefully we can find someone.
"It's very distressing, even just to read about it or hear about it, it's not pleasant at all."
