Geronimo pictures to print

Geronimo the alpaca could be slaughtered on Friday evening after he was given another 24-hour reprieve, according to his owner.

Helen Macdonald, who owns a farm at Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, said she had been told by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that officials would not attempt to enforce the destruction warrant before 5pm on Friday.

She said when Defra officials attend her farm to euthanise Geronimo, she will not break the law.

Read more: Urgent call for 'human shield' to protect Geronimo the alpaca as slaughter hour looms

“I’ve got the world behind me and there are a few detractors who don’t understand the case and I would say to those people look at the facts before you comment,” she said.

“Defra have a choice.

They can either work with us or they can try and kill him in front of the world.”

Geronimo has twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis and his owne