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Tears of joy as prize bull free at last after TB blunder
Kate McNeil, from Little Grove Farm with Hallmark Boxter the British Blond bull freed after 18 months in isolation in a faulty TB scare. Picture: Gary Longbottom.
It was the day that none of the Jackson family thought they would see.
But yesterday, after 17 months in a quarantine pen, Hallmark Boxster was finally released among the rest of his herd at Forlorn Hope Farm near Doncaster.
Ken and Anita Jackson’s prize-winning bull has been kept in isolation since being incorrectly diagnosed with Bovine TB last year by Defra vets.
However he and the herd have finally been given the all-clear by vets following a long battle from the family to prove it was healthy.
Upon being let lose from the pen the animal charged gleefully into the field, playing with the other members of the herd and lifting his legs high in the air, cheered on by the whole Jackson family.
Mr Jackson’s daughter Kate McNeil said it marked the end of a long fight which for a long time they never thought they would win.
“I’ve only just stopped crying,” she said. “It doesn’t seem real. We have had fantastic support from so many people.
“We’re a strong family and came through it together. Now he’s back where he belongs.”
The Jacksons were not convinced the animal had been tested correctly following the diagnoses in April last year and challenged the order.
The dispute eventually reached London’s High Court where a judge ruled Defra had broken its own rules by mixing two blood samples and its diagnosis was invalid.
Defra had spent more than £130,000 fighting the case.
The Jackson’s were last night enjoying a celebration together following their victory and intend to have a large party in the next couple of weeks to thank supporters.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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