This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6916077.stm

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 23 Version 24
Police at temple to remove Shambo Police at temple to remove Shambo
(20 minutes later)
Police have started moving protesters as attempts continue to take Shambo the "sacred" bullock for slaughter from a multi-faith community in west Wales. Police have been moving protesters as attempts continue to take Shambo the "sacred" bullock for slaughter from a multi-faith community in west Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government has said Shambo had to be destroyed after testing positive for bovine TB.The Welsh Assembly Government has said Shambo had to be destroyed after testing positive for bovine TB.
Earlier, officials had failed to reach Shambo's enclosure at the Skanda Vale site in Carmarthenshire, as more than 100 protesters were worshipping there.Earlier, officials had failed to reach Shambo's enclosure at the Skanda Vale site in Carmarthenshire, as more than 100 protesters were worshipping there.
At around 1630 BST, police started moving worshippers from the enclosure. Police successfully cleared the area in front of the enclosure by 1715 BST.
Officials served warrants to the temple shortly after 1400 BST, hours after they had been turned away by Hindu monks in an initial visit. Officials had served warrants to the temple shortly after 1400 BST, hours after they had been turned away by Hindu monks in an initial visit.
And at around 1600 BST, more than 20 police officers moved onto the site from their position outside the gates, where they had been waiting with an animal trailer and four riot vans. At around 1600 BST, police used bolt cutters to get through the gate and move their vehicles - including an animal trailer and four riot vans - onto the site.
Police used bolt cutters to get through the gate and move their vehicles onto the site, but it is understood the protesters are being led or carried away from their positions directly around Shambo's enclosure peacefully. And more than 20 police officers then started leading or carrying away worshippers from their position directly outside Shambo's enclosure.
The slaughter of the six-year-old Freisian, who is officially registered as Bullock UK 742266 200001, would bring to an end a protracted legal battle. Speaking after she had been moved, Christine Hough said there was no need to put Shambo down.
"He is sacred to these people - he is not in the food chain," she said.
Our concern has always been to minimise distress to the animal throughout this sensitive operation Welsh Assembly Government spokesmanOur concern has always been to minimise distress to the animal throughout this sensitive operation Welsh Assembly Government spokesman
The slaughter of the six-year-old Freisian, who is officially registered as Bullock UK 742266 200001, would bring to an end a protracted legal battle.
Temple monks were originally told he would be collected at 0800 BST on Thursday, 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 on Thursday, and began their protest early outside a temple in which Shambo is housed, isolated from other animals.
Assembly government officials turned up to request entry to the site but were refused as they did not have a warrant, and they returned with two official warrants shortly after 1400 BST.Assembly government officials turned up to request entry to the site but were refused as they did not have a warrant, and they returned with two official warrants shortly after 1400 BST.
The warrants give them permission to enter within one calendar month.The warrants give them permission to enter within one calendar month.
But officials then left the site again after failing to gain access for a second time and took advice on how to proceed.But officials then left the site again after failing to gain access for a second time and took advice on how to proceed.
Earlier, a spokesman said they had to wait to be denied access before they could obtain a warrant.Earlier, a spokesman said they had to wait to be denied access before they could obtain a warrant.
"We are monitoring the situation at Skanda Vale very carefully and are very concerned that the bullock may be getting distressed by the noise and activity around him," he said."We are monitoring the situation at Skanda Vale very carefully and are very concerned that the bullock may be getting distressed by the noise and activity around him," he said.
Police officers moved onto the temple site at around 1600 BSTPolice officers moved onto the temple site at around 1600 BST
"Our concern has always been to minimise distress to the animal throughout this sensitive operation.""Our concern has always been to minimise distress to the animal throughout this sensitive operation."
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 has said it is aiming to protect human and animal health and has appealed for co-operation, but the monks had warned officials would have to interrupt worship to remove the animal.The Welsh Assembly Government has said it is aiming to protect human and animal health and has appealed for co-operation, but the monks had warned officials would have to interrupt worship to remove the animal.
But supporters from as far afield as New Zealand and Switzerland said they would take part in a pooja ceremony celebrating the sanctity of life at the temple enclosure where the animal is being kept.But supporters from as far afield as New Zealand and Switzerland said they would take part in a pooja ceremony celebrating the sanctity of life at the temple enclosure where the animal is being kept.
"They will have to physically desecrate a temple to get him," said one of the monks, Brother Michael on Wednesday night."They will have to physically desecrate a temple to get him," said one of the monks, Brother Michael on Wednesday night.
"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.
Shambo monks wrong, says expertShambo monks wrong, says expert
Protester Dave Husseina, from Oxford, added: "I'm prepared to put myself in front of the line to protect the bull."Protester Dave Husseina, from Oxford, added: "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.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.
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 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 the farmers who've lost cattle do sympathise.
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.