FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A federal judge today ruled against a Santeria priest who challenged an animal slaughter ban.

Jose Merced says the ban interferes with his right to perform religious sacrifices in his Euless home.

At the end of the one-day trial, U.S. District Judge John McBryde said Euless was protecting the public's health by banning animal slaughtering in the city limits. He said Merced could do the rituals elsewhere.

Nearly two years ago, a Euless police officer and animal control officer went to Merced's house after receiving a tip that he was sacrificing goats. Merced said he would not sacrifice any animals at the ceremony, planned for the next day, but a month later tried to get a city permit for the ceremonies.