Article Added On: March 28, 2008 - over 3 years ago
Title: Hindu temple sues RSPCA
Original URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/28/animalwelfare
Author: Angela Balakrishnan
Publication: The Guardian
Publication Date: March 28, 2008 - over 3 years ago
Faith Groups: Hindu
Themes: Religion and society, other

Abstract: RSPCA vets put down Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian blue-jersey cross at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple, on welfare grounds last December. Monks at the temple say the RSPCA entered the premise illegally on a false warrant and are suing the charity.

Monks from the largest Hindu temple in Europe, angered by the RSPCA's slaughter of its sacred cow, will serve the charity with legal papers today.

Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian blue-jersey cross, was put down on welfare grounds on December 13 last year by RSPCA vets.

But campaigners from the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple in Hertfordshire claim that the "mercy killing" was illegal and took place while monks were at worship.

Radha Mohandas, a spokesman for the temple, says the RSPCA entered the temple illegally with a false warrant.

"There are theological and legal aspects to our decision to sue," Mohandas said. "It is illegal to enter private religious property and the idea of killing a cow, especially a sacred one, is sinful in our religion.

"There are flaws in the RSPCA's approach to these kinds of matters. They are only a charity yet they seem to take the law into their own hands. What they did showed a lack of respect towards our religion."

The RSPCA denies the claims, saying that they informed staff on site "exactly" what would happen and avoided killing the cow during prayer hours.

Gangotri had broken a leg a year before she died and suffered from bed sores because she could no longer stand.

The RSPCA has said it was sympathetic towards representatives of the temple, but put animal welfare first. Hindu groups in the UK have reacted angrily to the RSPCA's actions. Last month, around 100 protesters gathered outside the House of Commons to protest over the incident.

Bhaktivedanta Manor runs the Cow Protection Project, which cares for old cows and bulls, and allows them to die naturally.

Hindu community leader, Gauri Das, described Gangotri as sick but diseased.

Representatives of Bhaktivedanta Manor hope to sue the charity for the cow's death and are going to the RSPCA's headquarters in Horsham, West Sussex.

Last year, Shambo, a bull kept at Skanda Vale religious community near Carmarthen, Wales, made headlines when he was slaughtered in July after testing positive for bovine TB.

The National Farmers' Union and British Cattle Veterinary Association and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs supported the decision that was met with opposition from monks and nuns.

Two other animals from the same temple were also put down soon after Shambo's death.