THERE is simply no excuse for attacking defenceless animals.

This is especially the case when the said animals are offering comfort to vulnerable elderly residents at a nursing home.

Police were called after two alpacas at Danesmoor Nursing Home on Helmshore Road in Haslingden were attacked by yobs.

The fury animals had a large wooden bench and two plastic garden chairs thrown at them before the yobs entered their enclosure and chased them round with a broken chair leg.

Officers said the whole ordeal was caught on CCTV and the normally placid animals were left in great distress.

Many of the elderly residents were also said to have been frightened by the attack.

The home says the alpacas are there for the elderly residents to enjoy and it is simply intolerable that they should be subjected to this sort of behaviour.

And I have to agree. This unprovoked and mindless attack on two defenceless animals is a disgrace.

As a community we need to stand together to make sure those responsible are caught and punished.

After all this sort of behaviour would not be tolerated towards other domestic animals such as dogs and cats.