RSPCA 'Secretly' Killed Cow at Hindu Temple

December 13, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times of India

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3047068.ece

A cow kept at a Hindu temple once owned by former Beatle George Harrison was secretly killed by the RSPCA today, Hindu groups have claimed.

Gauri Das, leader of the Hindu Community at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple in Hertfordshire, said that the cow was given a lethal injection this morning while worshippers were at prayer. Hindus consider cows to be sacred and killing them sacrilegious and Times Online understands that temple officials are considering legal action against the RSPCA over its actions.

The incident comes less than five months after Shambo, the 'sacred' bull suspected of having bovine tuberculosis, was put down after a failed legal battle by monks to protect his life.

Mr Das said police bundled away monks who were attending to the sick animal at the farm attached to the temple in Hertfordshire. He accused RSPCA officials of distracting the head farmer at the Hare Krishna temple while the injection was administered to Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian Blue-Jersey Cross. “This is shocking and duplicitous behaviour. We have been deceived by those who had given us their word,” Mr Das said.

According to Mr Das, the RSPCA and police assured the farm only yesterday that because of religious sensitivities they would not intervene immediately to end the life of the sick animal that was suffering from a muscle-wasting disease.