In a victory for Hindu groups, a British court on Monday overturned the Welsh government’s decision to slaughter sacred bull Shambo that had tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.

The six-year-old Friesian was set to be slaughtered earlier this year after testing positive for exposure to bovine tuberculosis and the Wales government ordered its slaughter.

“The decision to slaughter the bull was unlawful and should be reconsidered,” Judge Gary Hickbinbottom said during a High Court hearing in Cardiff.

Priests from the Skanda Vale Hindu community in Lianpumsaint, in west Wales, sought a judicial review to overturn the decision.

There has been a worldwide Hindu campaign to save Shambo, which is part of a 52-strong herd of cattle and water buffalo at the temple.

Hindus believe all creatures living within the precincts of the temple should be regarded as sacred.
Since the diagnosis Shambo has been isolated from other cattle in his own barn where he is monitored by a webcam, nicknamed Moo Tube.