Alpaca Geronimo condemned to death after pleas for last-minute reprieve ignored

ALPACA Geronimo was condemned to death last night after pleas for a last-minute reprieve were ignored.

He will be put down tomorrow after Environment Secretary George Eustice refused to intervene.

Geronimo had tested positive for bovine TB. But his owner said it is a result of dodgy tests.

After The Sun revealed the eight-year-old animal’s plight, thousands of Brits signed a petition pleading to spare him.

Geronimo’s owner Helen Macdonald, of Wickwar, Gloucs, said: “This is the senseless destruction of an innocent animal. They could at least test him first.”

Sources close to Mr Eustice said he insisted “we have to do everything we can to eradicate this horrible disease”.

Wildlife presenter Chris Packham said: “These tests are inaccurate and unpredictable. Please, just retest him and be sure.”

Defra said: “The testing results and options for Geronimo have been very carefully considered.”