In our last issue, Hindu Voice UK provided coverage of the issue surrounding the execution of Shambo, the Friesian temple bull whose slaughter was announced by Welsh authorities after having tested positive for exposure to bovine Tuberculosis.

The Welsh authorities granted a temporary reprieve to Shambo, due to concerns raised by the community at Skanda Vale where Shambo has lived since birth, as well as several other Hindu and animal rights organisations who demanded that medical alternatives should be sought rather than outright slaughter, especially seeing that Shambo was born and raised by the temple community, who would themselves be willing to pay any costs involved.

However last week it was announced decisively that Shambo will be put down. Jane Davidson, the minister for sustainability and rural development at the Welsh Assembly, said she had carefully considered the views of the Skanda Vale community and the wider Hindu community, but in the interest of the greater good no exception could be taken.

She went on: "I have concluded that in order to protect both human and animal health, which includes other TB-susceptible animals at the community, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate - as opposed to reduce or minimise - the risk of transmission of TB from this bullock. I have decided therefore that putting down the bullock is the only means of completely eliminating the risk."

Taking questions in the assembly, the first minister, Rhodri Morgan, said that "human and animal health overrides the human rights and respect for the Hindu faith side of it".

Skanda Vale’s monastic community have rejected the announcement and say that they will peacefully but staunchly stand their ground against any attempt to take Shambo.

Hindu Voice UK ran a survey to gauge the opinions of British Hindus on what they wish the outcome would be, the results of which can be seen here. Hindu Voice Editor Rajesh Patel, was interviewed by the BBC (see here) on the subject.