Monks to sue RSPCA over cow

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Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian blue-jersey cross, was put down on welfare grounds in December by vets from the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals.

But campaigners claim the "mercy killing" was illegal and took place while members of Bhaktivedanta Manor, near Watford, Hertfordshire, Europe's largest Hindu temple, were at worship.

The RSPCA refutes this allegation, stating that they informed staff on site "exactly" what would happen, and avoided killing the cow during prayer hours.

At the time of her death, Gangotri had been injured for more than a year and had suffered from bed sores because she could no longer stand.

But Hindu groups in the UK reacted angrily to the measure taken by the RSPCA.

Cows are sacred to followers of the religion, and the killing of one is considered sacrilege.

Last month, about 100 protesters gathered outside the House of Commons to protest over the RSPCA's actions.

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

Gangotri was described by Hindu community leader Gauri Das as being sick but not suffering from any disease.