UK - urgent Hindu Temple Seeks To Save Bull From State-Ordered Slaughter

May 7, 2007

CARMARTHEN, WALES, UK, May 6, 2007:

" I am writing on behalf of Skanda Vale Temple seeking your urgent assistance in

helping the Temple save the life of one of our bulls, Shambo. He is currently

threatened with slaughter on May 14, 2007, by the government organization DEFRA

(Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). The reason for this is that

he has reacted positive to a bovine test for tuberculosis. It is government

policy to kill all 'reactor animals' who so test positive. The test is not 100%

accurate, and he is currently a very healthy animal. None of the rest of our

herd of 40 cattle and water buffalo is infected. We have three temples at our

monastery, Sri Ranganatha Temple, Maha Kali Temple and Lord Subramanium Temple.

We embrace Sanatana Dharma. The 25 residents of the monastic community live in

service to life following karma yoga and bhakta yoga. We have approximately

90,000 pilgrims visit a year and are committed to worshiping Almighty God in his

Universality.

" We have engaged solicitors to seek an urgent injunction to prevent the

slaughter and have suggested a solution to DEFRA to address the concerns of

animal and human health. They have refused to use the discretion they have under

UK law not to slaughter. Under the Animal Health Act 1981 Section 34: 'The

minister may, notwithstanding anything in this Act, reserve for observation and

treatment an animal liable to be slaughtered under this Act at his direction.'

" We believe it would be an act of desecration of the Hindu religion if they were

to slaughter a temple cow or bull. We have isolated Shambo and have made him a

secure home inside an area of our main Subramanium Temple. He is, after all,

Nandi, the vahana of Lord Siva. Lord Subramanium as commander of the heavenly

forces is the Shakti of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. We need the assistance of

Hindu organizations to put urgent pressure to find a solution. Maybe the

government of India or Nepal could help. We require assistance.

" Go to our website at URL above for more information. Time is short. "

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