HARTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say they had to shoot two pit bulls that got loose and killed four alpacas at a farm in western New York.

The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office tells The Buffalo News (http://bit.ly/11053Fp ) that deputies were called to Creek Edge Alpaca Farm in the town of Hartland on Wednesday morning by an employee who said dogs were attacking alpacas.

When deputies arrived, three alpacas had already been killed and a fourth was being chased by the pit bulls.

A deputy used a rifle to shoot the dogs, which both ran off. One was found dead in a field while the other returned to its owner’s home. The owner took the wounded dog to a veterinarian, who euthanized it.

The fourth alpaca was later found dead by a farm employee.

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