Runaway Alpacas Spotted Loose On South OC City Streets

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Some Mission Viejo residents were treated to a surprising sight late Thursday morning: two alpacas — one brown, one black — high-tailing it across a busy city intersection.

According to Mission Viejo City Spokesperson Kelly Tokarski, the alpacas were spotted running around the Pavilions parking lot on Marguerite and Oso Parkway.

Mission Viejo Animal Services officers immediately responded to the scene at around 11:28 a.m. Thursday.

When Animal Control Officer Julie Forton arrived, the owner of the alpacas and nearby samaritans were trying to rally the animals back into the trailer.

"An individual suddenly appeared with a lasso and tried to lasso one of the animals," Tokarski told Patch. "His lasso touched the side of the animal, which sparked it to move, and the owner was able to retrieve it."

Officer Forton was able to rally the other alpaca into the trailer with no injury.

Tokarski said that the alpacas were a part of a petting zoo that was visiting a local church event.

"Apparently, when the owner latched the trailer, one of the latches wasn't fully fixed and the alpacas got out," Tokarski said.