Last Friday, Class VW conducted a debate about Shambo the
bull.
In 2007, Shambo was issued with a slaughter notice due to being infected
with TB. The Hindu monks at Skanda Vale, Wales wanted to care for him until he
died rather than have him slaughtered; they started a petition and even went to
court. Ultimately, Shambo was removed from the temple and slaughtered in line
with disease prevention strategies.
The Class got into small groups and
represented different organisations including DEFRA, The Welsh Assembly, The
Hindu Forum of Britain, vets, etc. They researched the group they were
representing and then had to decide whether the organisation was for or against
the slaughtering of Shambo.
Each group had the opportunity to speak and offer
counter arguments where appropriate. Some members of Class RH joined us for the
final debate and were able to take part in a vote at the end. The vast majority
felt Shambo should have been slaughtered in order to prevent infecting other
animals.
