Santeria Priest Loses Bid To Sacrifice Animals In City

After a one-day trial yesterday, a Texas federal district judge ruled against a Santeria priest who wanted to sacrifice animals at his home in Euless, Texas. Jose Merced sued after the city refused him a permit to sacrifice animals, saying that the refusal infringes his religious freedom. The city cites prohibitions on animal cruelty, keeping livestock and disposing of animal waste. U.S. District Judge John McBryde, apparently in a ruling from the bench, said that the city has a compelling interest in public health that justified its refusal. The court said that Merced can perform his religious rituals elsewhere. Yesterday's Houston Chronicle reported on these developments. (See prior related posting.)