The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an animal cruelty investigation involving the fatal shooting of an alpaca near Corner.

The owner of the animal found its body with two gunshot wounds on Monday afternoon before reporting the incident. Deputies responded to the 4100 block of Warrior-Jasper Road shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

According to reports, the owner went for his daily feeding of the alpacas around 4 p.m., but noticed that one did not arrive to eat. His search ended sadly.

After investigating, deputies believe the shooting likely took place sometime during the night of Sunday, Aug. 7.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.