A FAMILY of six gentle, trusting alpacas became the victims of a shocking act of violence after being shot in the head on a Southern Downs property.

Most of the animals were not killed instantly, but were left to die slowly over days after being shot last week.

One alpaca, Dawn, was still alive when owner Lizzie and Joe Sabo made the horrific discovery on Saturday morning, but Dawn was so badly wounded she needed to be put down.

Mrs Sabo said the alpacas were the family's "fur babies” and she was absolutely devastated by their slaughter.

"They would come up and give you kisses on the cheek,” Mrs Sabo said.

"You would go to the fence and they come running at 100 miles an hour to see you.”

The couple had owned the alpacas for seven months, saying each animal had a unique personality and they were a close-knit herd.

"They do things together, they have this whistle that they make and they know what it means if there's danger or if we're coming,” Mrs Sabo said.

The couple have been working at the property to create a bed and breakfast and were planning to use the alpacas as an attraction for children.

The senseless killing comes just eight months after seven alpacas were shot at point-blank range on a Lyra property.

"My heart broke when I heard about the first lot and it was something I couldn't comprehend, now it's exactly how we're feeling,” Mrs Sabo said.

Mrs Sabo said the community had been extremely generous in the aftermath of the killings, thanking the police, vets and neighbours for their assistance.

Stanthorpe Police Senior Constable Jim Ellis said a small calibre firearm was used to carry out the shootings.

"It's a very senseless and cruel act, they're animals which are people's pets and don't present a threat,” Senior Constable Ellis said.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1300333000.