London, July 27: The Skanda Vale temple authorities
have reacted strongly after their sacred bull Shambo was
forcibly taken away for slaughtering, saying the Welsh
Assembly government has committed the "most violent and
ignorant act of desecration" of the temple and destroyed an
innocent life.
Six-year-old Shambo, which tested positive for bovine TB,
was taken away by health officials last evening after police
were drafted in to remove protesters.
The freisian, officially registered as bullock UK 742266
200001, was expected to be taken to a local abattoir for a
lethal injection. It ends a protracted legal battle which
started when a TB test returned positive in April.
The forcible removal came after the community finally
lost their high court fight on Monday.
In a statement, temple authorities said last night the
police dragged protesters away and stopped a ritual act of
worship, broke open the door to the room in which Shambo had
been isolated and led him away.
"Amid the chanting and worship of the many emotional
devotees, local police and veterinarians from the Welsh
Assembly broke the peaceful vigil held at Skanda Vale in
Carmathenshire to drag innocent Shambo away for slaughter,
even as emotional devotees continued to chant and sing," the
statement said.
One of the temple monks, Michael, said: "The Welsh
Assembly government has committed the most violent and
ignorant act of desecration of our temple and destroyed an
innocent life."
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, July 27, 2007, 00:00