IT WAS short notice for the monks caring for Shambo when the order for his execution came.
It was easy to see why: Officials didn't want a massive demonstration to add further fuel to the fire.
For three months the Welsh Assembly has had to deal with a daily bombardment of mercy pleas for Shambo. Sadly they all fell on deaf ears.
Even Lorraine Barrett AM, who is also Chair of the Assembly All Party Group on Animal Welfare, gave her consent to Shambo's death.
With so many organisations and individuals going against him, such as the powerful NFU and the likes of Ms Barrett, Shambo never stood a chance.
Those in the veterinary world that tried to speak out for Shambo were ignored. International zoo vet David Taylor was among many who gave valid reasons why Shambo should be spared.
But the farmers wanted their pound of flesh, so reason flew out of the window.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Welsh Assembly connived with the farming establishment, and in doing so deeply offended not just the monks at Skanda Vale, but the entire animal rights/welfare movement worldwide.
According to the monks, the Welsh Assembly government has committed the most violent and ignorant act of sacrilege against their religion, and desecrated their temple in destroying an innocent life.
They also said that the perpetrators of this act will suffer the consequences of their actions for generations to come.
Shambo - a symbol of love
I myself have always felt a deep sense of spirituality and that there is a powerful entity that watches over everything we do.
I used to question why acts of cruelty against defenceless life continues to multiply by the day, and why there seems to be no end in sight. Now I believe that some mysteries must remain just that!
As for Shambo, there was no proper consideration given to the fact that Shambo was not part of the food chain or that he had been isolated.
Nor did it matter to the Welsh Assembly that Shambo could have been cured.
All that mattered was killing this gentle, docile animal to appease the mighty NFU.
What a pity those same farmers don't exercise the same vigour by stopping Muslims from cruelly killing animals for halal meat.
Each day brings fresh reasons for me to be ashamed to be human, but the killing of Shambo and the threat to other animals at Skanda Vale has deepened that shame.
But the most telling of all was the way that not one official wore gloves or used disinfectant when entering or leaving the pen. A trail of straw was also left littering the ground outside. This poor animal was killed because of infection, yet officials ignored vital infection control.
The Welsh Assembly and its cohorts, the NFU, may have won this battle, but they have lost the respect of a lot of good people.
I myself will never again recognise Cardiff as my government.
The Dyfed Powys police also played their part in this shameful saga by sending four riot vans and over 60 police officers to forcibly remove peaceful protesters.
Strange how they could muster the manpower to remove gentle Hindu monks, but did nothing last winter to stop illegal hunters, who rang to boast how they were going out fox hunting. Incredibly the officer wished the hunters a good day.
All in all these Government agencies have done a great deal of harm to public confidence, and at a time when respect for the police and politicians is at an all time low.
They may have murdered Shambo, but his spirit will haunt the Welsh Assembly for many years to come.
