Alpaca 'Angels'

Geronimo is a black alpaca, imported to the UK from New Zealand. Alpacas are South American relatives of the camel, largely bred for their hair. Geronimo tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB), 4 years ago. The UK attempts to maintain its dairy TB-free status by slaughtering (with compensation) any cattle testing positive for this condition. The authorities decided that Geronimo must be 'put down' ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/15/on-death-row-with-geronimo-the-condemned-alpaca-and-an-army-of-angels-at-his-side). Geronimo's owner and a protective body of activists ('alpaca angels') are now resisting the order. The media are out in force. One of the 'angel's' arguments appears to be that it's OK to kill cows, because they are 'food animals'. Geronimo is different, because he's a pet! I would just remind them that the UK government kills (without testing), thousands of badgers every year. This species sometimes carries bovine TB. But we don't eat badgers. The ethics and the science behind the use of slaughter to control bovine TB in UK dairy herds (vaccination may be an alternative) is contentious. Geronimo does, however, appear to be getting favourable treatment. One law for alpacas. Another for badgers?