John Stossel special on Gov't-sponsored alpacas

Most people don't want to run, say, a cattle farm. But there is an animal that qualifies for all the tax breaks -- but acts more like a pet. It's called the alpaca.

Alpaca breeding has boomed since people found out about the tax benefits. On my special -- Politicians' Top 10 Promises Gone Wrong -- that will run in Hannity’s timeslot this Friday night, alpaca farmers tell me:

Theresa Reyes-Stassel: "we got into it for the tax reasons"

Rose Mogerman: "I was looking for a tax shelter… I might have had two [alpacas without the tax breaks.]  I wouldn't have had 100."

Dennis Piper of Pine Brook Alpacas also told us:

I had tractors and stuff that I always played with, but I could never write it off. After purchasing the alpacas all my toys, all of a sudden, became tax write-offs."

One website even advertises: “Have Uncle Sam Help You Buy Your Alpacas.”

It’s not just a few breeders who are in it for the tax benefits. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association surveyed its members: on a scale of 1 to 10, what motivated you to buy? More than half rated tax benefits a 10. That’s even more than said they were motivated to buy because they “fell in love with [alpacas].”