http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6265998.stm Bullock Shambo 'must be put down' Shambo the bullock tested positive for bovine TB on 27 April Shambo the "sacred" bullock which tested positive for bovine TB has to be slaughtered, Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson has said. She told AMs that she had considered his owners' views but said destroying him was the only way to protect people and other animals from risk of disease. His owners, Hindu monks at the multi-faith Skanda Vale Community, west Wales, can apply for a judicial review. The news came hours after the temple's spiritual leader and founder had died. Lawyers for the Skanda Vale community at Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, had set out the monks' case under human rights laws to have Shambo spared. Farmers and AMs have said Shambo should face the same fate as other cattle but the monks said their plan included a detailed set of proposals to further test, isolate and treat the all-black six-year-old Frisian cross. A spokesman said the case highlighted how Shambo's care was not based on a farming model as none of the animals at the community enter the food chain. He also said the monks would consider a judicial review, if necessary. An online petition has attracted 17,600 names and a video stream has been broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple. In a written cabinet statement issued to AMs on Tuesday, Ms Davidson said she was "acutely aware of the strength of feeling" over the case. But she added that she had to take account of the need to eliminate - and not just reduce - the risk of spreading TB She said: "I have decided therefore that putting down the bullock is the only means of completely eliminating the risk. "We want to work together with members of the community to implement the decision so that we can minimise the distress to the bullock, Shambo." Ms Davidson said the Welsh Assembly Government would co-operate if the Skanda Vale community launched an application for a judicial review. Taking questions in the assembly, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that "human and animal health overrides the human-rights and respect for the Hindu faith side of it". 'Slaughter notice' Skanda Vale has instructed its lawyers to prepare an "urgent challenge" to Jane Davidson's decision, with the High Court being asked by the end of this week to halt Shambo's slaughter until the case is considered. In a statement, spokesman Swami Suryananda said: "The Welsh Assembly [Government] has chosen to dismiss the final pleas of the Hindu community and our own representations. "All along we have provided constructive proposals to preserve the life of Shambo and allow us to practice our religion but it appears our pleas have fallen on deaf ears." Previously on Thursday, the community's Brother Alex had told the BBC that the community would not carry out its original suggestion of forming a human chain to prevent Shambo being taken away for destruction. He said they were considering performing a "sanctity of life" service on Tuesday, with a 24-hour vigil over Shambo. Meanwhile, monks at the temple were in mourning for their leader, Guru Sri Subramanium, who died on Tuesday morning. He had spent the past six months in the community's hospice. The Sri Lanka-born guru founded the 115-acre community in 1973.
It's a farm animal like the rest of the bulls. It shouldn't have any special treatment because some people think it's sacred. If it's going to ruin the livelihood of other farmers and cows lives, it should be put down. No question.
I do agree. This is the UK afterall. Many of us aren't even Hindu or even religious. We value our lives, wellbeing and livelihoods over a sacred cow.
I'm not usually keen to drag down the tone, but the word 'Bovine' makes me laugh! Might be to do with the Simpson's episode where Lisa goes veggie... Ralf: When I grow up, I'm going to bovine university! (Back to the point, I agree, cow had to go)
hm it should probably be put down but just looking at it, poor creature. i saw a cow slaughtered on TV once on one of these stupid reality tv programmes. it upset me
Did anybody watch Channel Five's "The Farm"? I didn't! Haha... but one thing I remember, maybe from the news or something, was Public Enemy's Flava Flav (sic) milking a cow and squirting the milk directly into his mouth. The farmer comes over and says, 'Yeah...You're gonna have to go to hospital now. See, that's why we pasturise the milk, you may of caught something a bit nasty there.' Eee, gosh...I've just realised. Sorry Autumn, you say something upsets you and I go dragging down tones again talking about Flava...
i can't even picture Flava Flav milking a cow. imagining his big clock neclace dragging through some hay, mud, and cow shit. Tom Green did that too, never thought in small quantities it would harm you enough to have to go to the hospital. and back on topic ... I can understand their religious point of views, but when it comes to health and safety issues and possible economic ramifications when other cows start dying around the country, then it's only wisest to put the animal down.
