Three men chopped to pieces for their amusement a llama that was keeping an eye on a herd of alpacas at a Monroe farm in North Carolina, authorities said on Tuesday.

Police found parts of Mighty the llama, which weighed around 140 kilograms, in and around her home, Borderline Farms, on January 28. Mighty was 10 years old.

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Authorities picked up three suspects for carrying out the llama attack. They were identified as Cody Wyatt Bray, 22; Alexander Samuel Clark, 20; and James Robert Lee, 18. They were charged with cruelty to animals, second-degree trespassing, felony larceny and felony breaking and entering.

The owner of the farm, Tammy Limer, said it took a lot of effort for the three to kill the huge 300-pound llama, which she described as a crime of "pure meanness."

Llamas are usually placed as protectors of scores of alpaca and sheep because they can strike a pose that can alert animals in the herd to any danger.

The animals are also capable of attacking predators by running down the threat and strike with their feet. Llamas had been known to hurt or kill coyotes and dogs.

Limer said she has six llamas in her farm to protect around 60 alpacas, whose hairs she cuts once a year to be sold for fur.

The farm owner said the llamas also take part in healing therapy for the elderly and autistic children.

Limer said she had taken the animals to nursing homes, where the elderly just "light up" when they get near them, adding the visits make their day but she quipped it probably did more for her than it did for them.

The owner described Borderline Farms as "a little piece of heaven" in a busy and rough world.

TagsNorth Carolina, Llama, Borderline Farms