ESSEX, VA (WWBT) -
A young couple's peaceful country refuge became a bloody killing field two weeks ago when dogs mauled to death 13 beloved family members. Owners of the Upright Alpaca Farm in Essex County, Wes and Abbey Gauvin, were ready to quit, but an outpouring of support and an Act of Kindness nomination have them determined to rebuild.
Sabrina: "We're with channel 12."
Abbey: "Alright."
Sabrina: "You're our Act of Kindness recipient."
Abbey: "Really?"
Sabrina: "Yes you are."
Loyal viewers Kathleen and Bob Betters were so affected by our coverage of the attack at the Upright Alpaca Farm, they drove from Mechanicsville to offer condolences.
Kathleen: "I just love animals also and I know you had to fell like they're part of your family."
Abbey: "We did."
Kathleen: "And I just know it's so terrible."
Abbey: "Thank you so much."
Kathleen: "To have to look out there and see that empty field…"
Abbey: "Thank you."
Kathleen: "I'm so sorry."
Abbey: "Thank you very much."
Kathleen: "So sorry."
Comforting words and cash to pay it forward.
Kathleen: "I know this doesn't replace your babies, but maybe it'll help in some small way,if nothing else to know there are lots of people that care and share in your loss."
Abbey: "Thank you so much."
Kathleen: "$100, $200, $300." (sniffles, wiping eyes)
Abbey: "Thank you so much we can never ever repay all the kindness that people have been showing us."
Kathleen: "That's good"
Sabrina: "Wait a minute is there more? Bob what's going on?"
Bob: "That's not much but just take that too"
The couple gives from the heart to the farm's facebook fundraiser. Support has come from as far away as Australia, Italy, and Canada.
"The kindness has been amazing. We've raised over $5,000," said Abbey.
The funds will help with the farm's medical expenses.
"As far as vets bill we're looking at somewhere between $9,000 and $10,000," she added.
The only alpacas to survive the slaughter have been traumatized. Whisper and Sophia cling to each other. The nine-year-old is still being treated for a leg injury, and her mouth's been stitched back together a couple of times.
Their playmates and companions, are gone.
"We're gonna miss all the ones we lost so badly. We lost our whole starting herd," said Abbey.
Crosses commemorate more than a dozen lives lost.
"Each one represents one of the alpaca's that were killed and two of the crosses have a cross on top of them for the two that were pregnant," she explained.
The Gauvins hope their fields will soon once again be filled with alpaca families.
"We actually already have nine alpacas that are on their way to us just from donations from people all across the country," Abbey said.
And they're praying that a new birth will be a healing balm for their heartache. Whisper is dealing with more than bite wounds.
"She's also 11 months pregnant...so that'll be our little miracle baby...if it comes out alive," said Abbey. "They're such gentle animals. We love them so much."
The Gauvins say there'll be a hearing September 27 to determine the fate of the neighbors dogs the couple says killed their herd of alpaca. Tonight they'll petition the Essex County Board of Supervisors for a law holding owners criminally liable for damages their animals.
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