Horley woman catches runaway llama called Brad Pitt

Alex Gache sprang into action after a friend called her saying, ‘Help! I’ve got a llama in my garden. What do I do?’ on Saturday (May 7).

Alex, who owns Lomond Equestrian Centre and has three llamas of her own, said she ‘rugby-tackled’ the adult male after containing him in a development site off the A217.

She said Brad, seven, had escaped from a field in Lonesome Lane, Horley that afternoon. He left behind his ‘wives’ Thelma and Louise - who were named after characters in American road film starring Brad Pitt the movie star.

Alex said: “I became aware at about 6pm because I’ve llamas and the police called.

“They herded him into a field in Reigate but he decided he didn’t want to stay in the field and went walk-abouts again.

“He was seen on the A217, jumping into the road and back again into gardens from Woodhatch to Horley.”

Alex and two friends set out in a lorry to catch Brad after her friend called her at 8pm.

She said: “He took one look at the lorry and ran.

“It was starting to get dark and I called the police again - a llama jumping in front of a car would have been a very scary accident.”

Brad was spotted walking on the other side of metal fencing in a housing development off the main road.

Alex, three members of the public and a police officer, spent two hours containing the animal by moving the fences.

Taking care not to be kicked or spat at, Alex said she ‘rugby-tackled’ the animal from the side.
She said: “He was just terrified of people.

“He’s absolutely fine and the morning the owner did contact me after I put up a Facebook post.”

Alex said: “He was very apologetic and very grateful.

“Apparentely Brad has two girlfriends, Thelma and Louise.

“He gets bored of his wives and then disappears - I’m not sure it’s the first time.”

Brad was being kept at the equestrian centre until the owner returns on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said: “Surrey Police received a number of calls reporting a loose llama in Woodhatch on Saturday afternoon (May 7).

“The first call came in around 3.20pm, with further sightings reported throughout the afternoon and evening. Officers attended the incident and located and contained the animal but unfortunately it managed to escape again.

“The llama was eventually located later that night after being spotted running loose along the A217 in the Duxhurst area. It was contained and is currently being cared for by a member of the public until the owner comes forward.”

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