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Shambo home animals slaughtered Shambo home animals slaughtered
(about 2 hours later)
A lethal injection has been given to a 15-year-old bullock which tested positive for bovine TB at a religious community in Carmarthenshire. A lethal injection has been given to a 16-year-old bullock which tested positive for bovine TB at a religious community in Carmarthenshire.
Welsh Assembly Government officials are also set to slaughter a young water buffalo at the Skanda Vale site.Welsh Assembly Government officials are also set to slaughter a young water buffalo at the Skanda Vale site.
Last month, the temple's bullock Shambo was killed after testing positive for the disease.Last month, the temple's bullock Shambo was killed after testing positive for the disease.
Monks lost a long-running legal challenge to save Shambo and staged a protest ceremony as he was taken away.Monks lost a long-running legal challenge to save Shambo and staged a protest ceremony as he was taken away.
However, despite the two further slaughters, the monks said there would be no repeat of the ceremony which took place on the day the six-year-old Friesian was killed.However, despite the two further slaughters, the monks said there would be no repeat of the ceremony which took place on the day the six-year-old Friesian was killed.
After Shambo's death, more tests were carried out on animals at the community.After Shambo's death, more tests were carried out on animals at the community.
Life is sacred and we have repeatedly asked the assembly government to work with us to find a solution which doesn't involve killing Brother MichaelLife is sacred and we have repeatedly asked the assembly government to work with us to find a solution which doesn't involve killing Brother Michael
The water buffalo is due to be taken away for slaughter later, but on Thursday morning it was decided not to move the older bullock as it was too ill with arthritis to travel. The body of the bullock has been wrapped up and is ready to be moved. On Thursday morning, an assembly government vet and 10 officials visited the site and it was decided not to move the older bullock, called Bhakti, as it was too ill with arthritis to travel.
The water buffalo, called Dakshini, was due to be taken away for slaughter later.
Rural affairs minister Elin Jones said: "Formal notices have been issued to the community at Skanda Vale for two more bovines at the community to be put down to bring the outbreak of bovine TB there under control."Rural affairs minister Elin Jones said: "Formal notices have been issued to the community at Skanda Vale for two more bovines at the community to be put down to bring the outbreak of bovine TB there under control."
Brother Alex of Skanda Vale said the community was "very disappointed" by the new slaughter notices. Brother Alex of Skanda Vale said the community was "very disappointed" by the new slaughter notices but they had "exhausted all possibilities in terms of legal challenges".
"I think we have exhausted all possibilities in terms of legal challenges," he said.
And Brother Michael said the slaughter was another "unacceptable desecration" of the community's way of life.And Brother Michael said the slaughter was another "unacceptable desecration" of the community's way of life.
He said: "Life is sacred, and we have repeatedly asked the assembly government to work with us to find a solution which doesn't involve killing."He said: "Life is sacred, and we have repeatedly asked the assembly government to work with us to find a solution which doesn't involve killing."
Shambo first tested positive for bovine TB during a routine screening on 27 April, but was not killed until 26 July.Shambo first tested positive for bovine TB during a routine screening on 27 April, but was not killed until 26 July.
Brother Michael said he did not accept that allowing the bullock to live so long had put the rest of the community's animals at risk.Brother Michael said he did not accept that allowing the bullock to live so long had put the rest of the community's animals at risk.
He said: "Shambo was isolated. There was no way any problem he had could have been passed to any of the other cattle.He said: "Shambo was isolated. There was no way any problem he had could have been passed to any of the other cattle.
Shambo was kept in a special enclosure for weeks at the templeShambo was kept in a special enclosure for weeks at the temple
"He was never in contact with any of the other cattle, so we don't accept that.""He was never in contact with any of the other cattle, so we don't accept that."
However, the move has been welcomed by farming unions.However, the move has been welcomed by farming unions.
Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan said: "This proves that what has happened at Skanda Vale has followed a classic trend of TB transmission with an initial infection apparently spreading to other animals."Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan said: "This proves that what has happened at Skanda Vale has followed a classic trend of TB transmission with an initial infection apparently spreading to other animals."
Llama and deerLlama and deer
The fate of Shambo became the focus of worldwide attention after it first tested positive for bovine TB in April.The fate of Shambo became the focus of worldwide attention after it first tested positive for bovine TB in April.
It culminated three months later when supporters from around the UK and overseas joined a religious ceremony as officials, backed by police, took the bullock away to be put down.It culminated three months later when supporters from around the UK and overseas joined a religious ceremony as officials, backed by police, took the bullock away to be put down.
The Skanda Vale community has a wide range of livestock including an elephant, ponies, water buffalo, cows, bulls, llama and deer.The Skanda Vale community has a wide range of livestock including an elephant, ponies, water buffalo, cows, bulls, llama and deer.
More tests on the 54-strong herd are due to be carried out within 60 days.More tests on the 54-strong herd are due to be carried out within 60 days.