Shambo 'likely to face slaughter'

Shambo tested positive for bovine TB on 27 April

The "sacred" bullock Shambo which tested positive for bovine TB is likely to be slaughtered, despite a campaign to keep him alive.

Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson has said she was minded to proceed with a slaughter order.

The order caused an outcry among Hindus and others at the multi-faith Skanda Vale community in Carmarthenshire.

The Many Names of God is a monastic centre which embraces all faiths and includes three Hindu shrines.

The six-year-old black Friesian tested positive for bovine TB during a routine screening on 27 April.

But Hindu monks at the temple in Llanpumsaint launched a worldwide campaign to save the animal, saying the slaughter was contrary to their faith and its killing would desecrate the temple.

People should not be deceived. This is not really about animal welfare or human health. It's about money, it's about politics Brother Alex

Brother Alex from Skanda Vale said they were disappointed with the decision.

"People should not be deceived. This is not really about animal welfare or human health. It's about money, it's about politics," he added.

"It should be based on actual risk, not some hypothetical scaremongering."

He said he was not yet convinced Shambo has bovine TB and maintains he could be treated with antibiotics.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Sanjay Mistray said they expected Shambo to be slaughtered next Monday and would seek a court injunction in the meantime.

"What is disappointing is that they have refused to allow anyone else to examine Shambo.

I am acutely aware of the distress that this will cause not only to the community, but also to many in the wider Hindu community Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson

"There are still tests he can undergo that would indicate whether he actually has TB, that is not conclusive. At the moment he is in perfect health and shows no sign of illness."

He added that Ms Davidson had "decided not to exercise her right of discretion to save the Shambo".

Ms Davidson said that to protect public and animal health the normal policy for controlling bovine TB was slaughter.

"There are no antibiotics licensed in the UK for treating bovine TB in cattle," she said.

"This means that if Shambo were given antibiotics experimentally, there would be no way of testing whether they had cured him."

The HCUK recognises her comments that Shambo's condition may well pose a threat to the life of the rest of the herd and suggests it is perhaps time to 'let go'." Spokesman for the Hindu Council UK

"I am acutely aware of the distress that this will cause not only to the community, but also to many in the wider Hindu community," she said.

"We have considered long and hard the case that the community (at Skanda Vale) has made, and officials met representatives of the community and members of the wider Hindu community last week to discuss matters."

Campaigners at Skanda Vale have warned that they will try to save the animal by forming a human chain around the site where it was kept in isolation.

The community has said a petition has attracted 17,381 names and a video stream was broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple.

The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) expressed regret at the decision but added: "The HCUK recognises her comments that Shambo's condition may well pose a threat to the life of the rest of the herd and suggests it is perhaps time to 'let go'."