Hindu monks have turned away government officials who arrived to take Shambo the "sacred" bullock for slaughter as they said they did not have a warrant.
Hindu monks have turned away government officials who arrived to take Shambo the "sacred" bullock for slaughter as they said they did not have a warrant.
More than a hundred protesters were taking part in a religious ceremony at a temple at the multi-faith Skanda Vale community in west Wales.
More than a hundred protesters were taking part in a religious ceremony at a temple at the multi-faith Skanda Vale community in west Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government said Shambo had to be destroyed after testing positive for bovine TB.
The Welsh Assembly Government said Shambo had to be destroyed after testing positive for bovine TB.
His slaughter on Thursday would bring to an end a protracted legal battle.
His slaughter on Thursday would bring to an end a protracted legal battle.
Temple monks were originally told he would be collected at 0800 BST, and began their protest early outside a temple in which Shambo is housed, isolated from other animals.
Temple monks were originally told he would be collected at 0800 BST, and began their protest early outside a temple in which Shambo is housed, isolated from other animals.
It is believed government officials turned up to request entry on to the site but were refused and will now have to apply at a magistrates court for an official warrant.
It is believed government officials turned up to request entry on to the site but were refused and will now have to apply at a magistrates court for an official warrant.
The action comes after the multi-faith community in Carmarthenshire, finally lost the High Court bid to save Shambo.
The action comes after the multi-faith community in Carmarthenshire, finally lost the High Court bid to save Shambo.
The Welsh Assembly Government appealed for co-operation, but the monks have warned that officials will have to interrupt worship to remove the animal.
The Welsh Assembly Government appealed for co-operation, but the monks have warned that officials will have to interrupt worship to remove the animal.
I won't say we don't have sympathy because you know the farmers who've lost cattle do sympathise Brian Walters, FUW
I won't say we don't have sympathy because you know the farmers who've lost cattle do sympathise Brian Walters, FUW
Early on Thursday a picket blocked the road outside the site at Llanpumsaint, and inspectors arriving to take away the animal were also facing a locked gate and locked temple door.
Early on Thursday a picket blocked the road outside the site at Llanpumsaint, and inspectors arriving to take away the animal were also facing a locked gate and locked temple door.
Supporters from as far afield as New Zealand and Switzerland were taking part in a pooja ceremony celebrating the sanctity of life at the temple enclosure where the six-year-old Friesian is being kept.
Supporters from as far afield as New Zealand and Switzerland were taking part in a pooja ceremony celebrating the sanctity of life at the temple enclosure where the six-year-old Friesian is being kept.
"They will have to physically desecrate a temple to get him," said one of the monks, Brother Michael.
"They will have to physically desecrate a temple to get him," said one of the monks, Brother Michael.
"He's locked here and we will be having an act of worship in front of where he is.
"He's locked here and we will be having an act of worship in front of where he is.
"If the Welsh Assembly Government want to take him out of there, they will have to interrupt an act of worship."
"If the Welsh Assembly Government want to take him out of there, they will have to interrupt an act of worship."
Shambo has been kept in a special enclosure for several weeks
Shambo has been kept in a special enclosure for several weeks
Protester Dave Husseina, from Oxford, said: "I would probably put myself in the way because I know I wouldn't be at risk from this in any possible way so yeah I'm prepared to put myself in front of the line to protect the bull." The monks have fought a campaign since a TB test returned positive in April, saying they were guarding against Shambo infecting other animals by keeping him in a separate pen.
Protester Dave Husseina, from Oxford, said: "I would probably put myself in the way because I know I wouldn't be at risk from this in any possible way so yeah I'm prepared to put myself in front of the line to protect the bull."
The monks have fought a campaign since a TB test returned positive in April, saying they were guarding against Shambo infecting other animals by keeping him in a separate pen.
An online petition has attracted 20,000 signatures and the bullock's supporters have also been able to keep up to date with his movements via a webcam.
An online petition has attracted 20,000 signatures and the bullock's supporters have also been able to keep up to date with his movements via a webcam.
But the monks have faced opposition from many quarters, including the farming sector, where Shambo is seen as a disease risk to livestock.
But the monks have faced opposition from many quarters, including the farming sector, where Shambo is seen as a disease risk to livestock.
Monks and their supporters are taking part in a protest
Monks and their supporters are taking part in a protest
Brian Walters, vice president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), said: "We have to follow the rules like everybody else and I won't say we don't have sympathy because you know the farmers who've lost cattle do sympathise.
Brian Walters, vice president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), said: "We have to follow the rules like everybody else and I won't say we don't have sympathy because you know the farmers who've lost cattle do sympathise.
"They go through these emotions. I spoke to a farmer on the field yesterday and he'd lost 80 cattle over the last couple of months and you know there wasn't any television coverage of 80 cattle going off his farm but yet he had to face that and was quite emotional."
"They go through these emotions. I spoke to a farmer on the field yesterday and he'd lost 80 cattle over the last couple of months and you know there wasn't any television coverage of 80 cattle going off his farm but yet he had to face that and was quite emotional."
An assembly government spokesman said: "This has been a difficult case for all involved, but our aim continues to be the protection of human and animal health," he added.
An assembly government spokesman said: "This has been a difficult case for all involved, but our aim continues to be the protection of human and animal health," he added.
Last week, a High Court judge gave the community hope when he ruled that two slaughter orders for Shambo "were unlawful and will be quashed".
Last week, a High Court judge gave the community hope when he ruled that two slaughter orders for Shambo "were unlawful and will be quashed".
But on Monday, his ruling was overturned by the appeal court in London.
But on Monday, his ruling was overturned by the appeal court in London.
Do you live in the area? Do you support the Hindu monks or the Welsh Assembly Government? Please send us your comments using the form below.
Do you live in the area? Do you support the Hindu monks or the Welsh Assembly Government? Please send us your comments using the form below.
