Exactly what threat did this animal pose to surrounding livestock? After all, he was being kept responsibly and separately by the monks. He was not strictly a farm animal, but a harmless symbol and an easy target. Sounds like a spiteful campaign to me. I agree it is the law, and laws should be adhered to - try telling that to families of loved ones killed by illegal guns - lets get our priorities right here. Surely a little compassion, common sense and ongoing vet checks wouldn't have come amiss here.

Jenny, London, U.K.

Bullying.

paul martin, Wargrave ,

Having lived in a farming community I understand the hurt which farmers feel at the loss of any stock and therefore their feeling that the law should apply to all. But to the Hindu people this bull is sacred and whilst we may not understand why, surely we can understand the concept of holding something sacred. Compassion and understanding are what are needed here and as the Hindus firmly believe any kindness and compassion shown to them will surely be returned to those who give it. This world cannot run just according to strict man made rules, surely there must be room for compassion for one's fellow man, otherwise we really are lost.

paul martin, Wargrave ,

This animal is not for the meat chain. Why do they need to kill him.?He is away from other animals.

A Walsh, London,

This is an incredibly sad story, but surely in the wider interests of farm animals throughout Wales.

My sincere sympathies are with the monks and worshippers at the temple, and hopefully they will be able to find a suitable replacement animal in the future. Nobody can say that the State is being malicious. This is just a matter of health and safety, and I am sure they will forgive those officials who have had to do this unfortunate deed.

Roy E, Salford, UK

Im sorry these people have had their sensibilities offended - but we have laws in this country that have to be obeyed for the greater good of all. If exceptions were made for minority interests - and there are plenty of them, we would not have workable laws in this country. Im suprised these people cant see the bigger picture.

Steve, Hereford,

I fully support the monks in their brave and righteous fight to protect Shambo from the hands of the Phillistines wishing to destroy, on unsupportable evidence, a sacred animal. Presumably, if these thugs succeed , it will be another example of "Might is right." All animal lovers, I am sure, will share my distress.

Robert Davis, Moreton, nr. Newport, Shrops.

Its the best joke of the year. Its surprising to see Indians in UK trying to save a cow when there are millions of animals slaughtered in India. Smells of double standards. Even Girl children are not spared by killing or aborting them if the foetus is a girl.then why so much ruckus over a cow!

Dil, Mumbai, India

Grow up, why don't you.

And as a vegetarian I think I'll protest agains these Hindus slaughtering and eating pigs, chicken, sheep etc etc

Joe, Manchester,

Whilst I have the greatest respect for all faiths, I can't help thinking this is yet another example of a relgious or ethnic grouping believeing itself above the UK legal system. I don't pretend to be an expert on Hinduism, however despite the cow being sacred, surely the potential harm that Shambo could inflict on other cattle suggets that the monks are being slightly selective in their interpretation of the faith.

Sadly, the inflammatory comments and confrontational stance that the monks appear to be taking are unlikely to help their cause, or indeed the cause of other minority religions.

J Stuart, London,

I am a Hindu and don't eat beef as I respect the Hindu belief that regards cows as sacred animals. However, the law of the land MUST take precedence. I think this whole episode with Shambo the temple bull has been blown out of proportion and
Skanda Vale needs to show the world the REAL face of Hinduism: one of tolerance and acceptance; of respect for rule of law.

Sandeep, Birmingham, west midlands

There was no compassion shown by the monks for the T.B Stricken bull. Neither did they care for the welfare of other cattle in the area who could have become infected. It might be a good idea to test the monks for TB. The bull generated publicity for this temple - no one had heard of it before this episode

Hopefully, money is not wasted on a life size sculpture of Shambo and pilgrimage encouraged to worship the poor Sick bull. The money could be used to alleviate poverty suffered by childeren in India.

Satish, Coventry, West Midlands/UK

Humans can be treated for TB and, whilst it may not be economic for all cattle to be treated, why could it not be done in this case - or is there no treatment for bovine TB? Rather than automatic slaughter, if there is a cure shouldn't individual cases and/or religious beliefs be taken into account and respected wherever possible, especially as the animal in this case does not seem to be part of a herd so there is less risk of passing on infection?

Sheena, Somerset ,

Shambo is suffering. Let him be put in quarantine and die in peace with appropriate medication.

D Navekar, Leicester,

Why are bull's more sacred and respected than the 'Shudras' or 'Untouchables' (lower cast people of India)?

Untouchable, Bangalore, India

Once again, people are using religion as justification for breaking the law. English law is there to protect everyones interests, and applies to everyone within it's jurisdiction. Why do the monks expect special treatment? This is not a matter of religion, it is simply a matter of English law, and if you break the law, you should be preparred for the consequences. Religion does not excempt you from the law, and the monks are fools to think that it should.

Paul Simon, West Midlands,

I am an animal loving vegetarian who does not want God's creatures to be killed. If Shambo is sick isolate him instead of slaughtering him.

Brien Comerford, Glenview, United States

Well I am glad to hear that Shambo has been removed, if an animal has TB then for a country where farming is such an important part of the economy, then that animal needs to be destroyed to protect the livelihood of those that would be affected.

How did this Hindu monastery decide that this particular cow was sacred? If this cow was saved then what would stop them from saying that every cow should not be slaughtered?

I suggest that next time the monastery choose a "sacred" cow, then they have it checked for TB or any other illnesses that may pose a public health concern before they get to attached to it.

D Leahy, London, UK

OTT just like the Governments response to Foot and Mouth - as a serving police officer I refused to play any part in it.


What about the hundreds of immigrants and assylum seekers coming into the UK that actually have TB rather than Shambo's 'suspected' TB.

Dave Dee, Gretna, UK

Here is a religion, that is practicing the value of life , even that of
an animal, while other faiths seek to destroy human life
much less animal. The Hindu and Buddhist Faiths preaches
non-violence, meditation and yoga to uplift the human spirit.

Some faiths consider violence as the way to go. So lets get real
and see the monks and temple folks as sending a message
to us all.

Shakti , Lowell , US

Madness...

Chris Jackson, london,

Maybe there is God and there is a reason for all these floods.

GOPAL, essex, UK

We don't live in a country under religious control, we live in a country governed by civil law. The rule of law means all people have to live by the same rules and respect the laws of the country. Why do Hindu's think they should be above the law of the country in which we live? The law is there to protect us all regardless of faith or race, we might not like it all of the time, but without it life would be a far sight worse.

Helen, Reading, UK