Teens take circus llama for late night tram ride

BORDEAUX, France, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A group of French teenagers arrested for stealing a circus llama said they took the animal for a tram ride as a drunken prank.

One of the five teens, who gave his name as Mathieu, said he and his friends went into the circus in Bordeaux while it was closed early Thursday and they initially planned to steal a zebra, but they found Serge the llama to be a much friendlier animal, the British newspaper The Independent reported Monday.

"We went in and played with the animals," Mathieu. "We ended up taking a llama with us."

"It walked with us like a good dog would have," he said.

Mathieu said the group decided to take the llama on a tour of the city via its tram system, but other passengers reported the animal when it wouldn't hold still for the ride.

"He moved along the tram and we couldn't hold onto him," Mathieu said. "The inspector made him get off and tied him to a lamppost."

The five teens were arrested, but police said they will not be charged for the theft.