Shambo facts for kids

Shambo

Shambo was a black Friesian bull who lived at the Skanda Vale Temple in Wales. He was born around 2001. The Hindu community at the temple adopted him and considered him a sacred animal.

In April 2007, Shambo became well-known. A routine test for bovine tuberculosis (TB) showed he might have been in contact with the bacteria that cause this disease. Because of this, the Welsh Government said Shambo had to be slaughtered.

The Skanda Vale Temple disagreed. They believed that all life is sacred in Hinduism and campaigned to save Shambo. Many Hindu groups supported them. However, local farmers supported the government's rule. They believed that cattle testing positive for TB should be removed to protect other animals.

The Court Case

The temple decided to challenge the government's decision in court. They wanted a judge to review if the government had acted fairly.

First Court Decision

A judge at the High Court first sided with the temple. The judge said the government had not properly considered the temple's religious freedom. This freedom is protected by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. The judge ruled that the government's order to slaughter Shambo was not valid.

Appeal and Final Decision

The Welsh Government did not agree with this ruling and appealed the decision. A higher court, the Court of Appeal, reviewed the case. On July 23, 2007, this court decided that the government's plan to slaughter the bull was lawful. This meant the government could go ahead with their original decision.

Shambo is Taken Away

The Skanda Vale Temple was told that Shambo would be taken away for slaughter on July 26, 2007. Officials arrived at 8 am, but could not take the bull.

Later that day, around 2:00 pm, officials returned with special papers that allowed them to enter the temple grounds. Still, they could not reach Shambo. Around 4:00 pm, police used tools to open the gate. They brought in vehicles, including an animal trailer and police vans.

Many people had come to protest and try to save Shambo. Some had traveled from far away, like New Zealand and Switzerland. After the protesters were moved, Shambo was taken from the temple at about 7:25 pm. He was taken to a local abattoir. Officials confirmed on July 27 that Shambo had been slaughtered.

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