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'Sacred' bullock reprieve appeal Judges hear 'sacred' bull appeal
(about 6 hours later)
The Welsh Assembly Government is due to appeal against a judge's decision to save a "sacred" bullock from slaughter. Three appeal court judges have begun hearing the case of Shambo the bullock which tested positive for TB at a Hindu temple in Carmarthenshire.
Shambo, a six-year-old Friesian at a Carmarthenshire multi-faith community, was earmarked for slaughter after testing positive for bovine TB. The assembly government is asking them to overturn the ruling of a high court judge that it acted unlawfully in ordering Shambo's slaughter.
But lawyers for the monks at Skanda Vale argued that the order was against the Human Rights Convention. Lawyers for the monks at Skanda Vale argued that the order was against the Human Rights Convention.
On Monday, a High Court judge quashed the slaughter decision, saying it was unlawful and should be reconsidered. On Monday, a High Court judge quashed the slaughter decision.
His Honour Judge Gary Hickinbottom said: "This judgement does not, of course, guarantee that, as the community wish, Shambo will live until he dies a natural death. His Honour Judge Gary Hickinbottom said it was unlawful and should be reconsidered.
But, he said: "This judgement does not, of course, guarantee that, as the community wish, Shambo will live until he dies a natural death.
"This judgement merely rules that the decisions of 3 May and 3 July to issue the slaughter notice and to pursue the slaughter under that notice were unlawful and will be quashed.""This judgement merely rules that the decisions of 3 May and 3 July to issue the slaughter notice and to pursue the slaughter under that notice were unlawful and will be quashed."
'Viable alternatives''Viable alternatives'
Brother Alex, a monk at Skanda Vale, said the community was "delighted" with the decision.Brother Alex, a monk at Skanda Vale, said the community was "delighted" with the decision.
Speaking outside the court on Monday, he said: "The judge has vindicated what has been our position all along, that there are viable alternatives to slaughtering an animal."Speaking outside the court on Monday, he said: "The judge has vindicated what has been our position all along, that there are viable alternatives to slaughtering an animal."
But some AMs and members of the farming community reacted angrily to the ruling, saying Shambo should face the same fate as other cattle.But some AMs and members of the farming community reacted angrily to the ruling, saying Shambo should face the same fate as other cattle.
Last year, 5,220 cattle in Wales alone were culled because they failed the TB test, and the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the decision to quash the slaughter order could set back disease control.Last year, 5,220 cattle in Wales alone were culled because they failed the TB test, and the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the decision to quash the slaughter order could set back disease control.
Shambo is housed in a temple in the grounds of Skanda ValeShambo is housed in a temple in the grounds of Skanda Vale
Lawyers for both parties had laid out their arguments at a Cardiff hearing the week before the judgement.Lawyers for both parties had laid out their arguments at a Cardiff hearing the week before the judgement.
David Anderson QC for the Hindu monks at the Skanda Vale community near Llanpumsaint, had said Shambo was an animal of "considerable religious importance" and as such, a policy devised for farm animals could not be applied to it.David Anderson QC for the Hindu monks at the Skanda Vale community near Llanpumsaint, had said Shambo was an animal of "considerable religious importance" and as such, a policy devised for farm animals could not be applied to it.
He said members of the community believed that slaughtering Shambo would be "a desecration of the temple".He said members of the community believed that slaughtering Shambo would be "a desecration of the temple".
But Clive Lewis QC for the assembly government, said the matter had been carefully considered by the Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson, who had taken advice from the chief veterinary officer and the chief medical officer.But Clive Lewis QC for the assembly government, said the matter had been carefully considered by the Rural Development Minister Jane Davidson, who had taken advice from the chief veterinary officer and the chief medical officer.
Video streamVideo stream
Mr Lewis also told the court tuberculosis was an infectious disease capable of transmission, and there was no accepted treatment for bovine TB in the UK.Mr Lewis also told the court tuberculosis was an infectious disease capable of transmission, and there was no accepted treatment for bovine TB in the UK.
After testing positive in early May, Shambo was put into isolation within the temple near Llanpumsaint, and a high-profile campaign to save him was launched.After testing positive in early May, Shambo was put into isolation within the temple near Llanpumsaint, and a high-profile campaign to save him was launched.
Online and written petitions have attracted more than 21,000 names, and a video stream has also been broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple.Online and written petitions have attracted more than 21,000 names, and a video stream has also been broadcast live from Shambo's pen in the temple.