Slowly rotating cow carcasses have again disappeared from the front of restaurants after authorities threatened to shut down those violating a ban on publicly grilling entire torsos.

Restaurant owners said authorities had told them during door-to-door visits on Wednesday night that this would be their last warning.

The notification, signed on January 10 by Council of Ministers secretary of state Sim Vanna, pans the act as “cruel” and in contravention of Buddhist principles of non-violence.

Restaurant owners said they had complied with the directive for a few days before resuming the practice to attract customers.

Last week, restaurants were still grilling cows outside, but by yesterday were grilling them inside, or behind, the premises.

A staffer at Midnight restaurant said authorities had warned the restaurant’s owner on January 15, and returned with stricter words on Wednesday.

Yos Vuthy, deputy governor of Daun Penh district, said the local authority would continue to monitor restaurants.

“We will take legal measures if they don’t follow our advice,” he said.