Shambo, the sacred bull sentenced to death after testing positive for bovine tuberculosis, was granted a reprieve yesterday by a High Court judge.

The judge ruled that an order that Shambo be destroyed was unlawful and infringed the human rights of monks at the Hindu temple in Wales where he lives. The black bull has been isolated in a pen at the Skanda Vale temple complex near Carmarthen. Hindus had threatened to form a human wall to stop vets carrying out the Welsh Assembly’s order.

An appeal against yesterday’s ruling, made in the High Court in Cardiff, is to be heard on Friday.

Judge Gary Hickinbottom said: “It would be a particularly grave desecration of the temple and a very gross affront to their beliefs.

“It would undermine the spiritual power of the temples, painstakingly established over 35 years of disciplined religious observance.”

He said that the Assembly had failed to consider the full circumstances and alternatives to slaughter. However, he added: “This judgment does not guarantee that — as the Hindu community wishes — Shambo will live until he dies a natural death. This judgment merely rules that the decision to issue the slaughter notice was unlawful and will be quashed.”

Brother Alex, a monk who looks after Shambo, said: “We are delighted that the judge has vindicated our position. There are viable alternatives to the slaughtering of Shambo.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales described the decision as ludicrous and a shambles. A spokesman said: “British justice is now content to put public health at grave risk. Today’s ruling could set disease control back by 70 years.”

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