Hindu monks from Watford sue RSPCA for killing 'suffering' sacred cow

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Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian blue-Jersey cross, was given a lethal injection by vets on December 13 after she suffered a crippling injury.

But her death sparked an outcry among Hindu campaigners, who accused the animal welfare charity of breaking into private property to kill the animal in secret while the monks were at worship.

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Anger: Gangotri was put down on welfare grounds in December

The monks at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, Europe's largest Hindu temple, hope to get tens of thousands of pounds in compensation for Gangotri's death.

Yesterday they served legal papers at the RSPCA's headquarters in Horsham, West Sussex, where a protest was also held.

At the time of her death, Gangotri was unable to stand because of a long-term back injury and was expected to die within weeks.

However, the monks claimed she was in a "comfortable condition" as they provided round-the-clock care for her.

The RSPCA says it informed temple staff what would happen and avoided killing the cow during prayer hours.