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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Hindu monks serve papers on RSPCA | Hindu monks serve papers on RSPCA |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Hindu monks are to sue the RSPCA over the killing of a sacred cow at a Hertfordshire temple. | Hindu monks are to sue the RSPCA over the killing of a sacred cow at a Hertfordshire temple. |
| Six monks went to the charity's HQ in Horsham, West Sussex, to serve papers and they threatened to start legal proceedings over the death of Gangotri. | Six monks went to the charity's HQ in Horsham, West Sussex, to serve papers and they threatened to start legal proceedings over the death of Gangotri. |
| The Belgian blue-jersey cross was kept at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, Watford. | The Belgian blue-jersey cross was kept at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, Watford. |
| The monks said while they were praying, an RSPCA vet put the cow down, last December. An RSPCA spokesman said they had avoided worship times. | The monks said while they were praying, an RSPCA vet put the cow down, last December. An RSPCA spokesman said they had avoided worship times. |
| Campaigners also claim the killing was illegal and took place while members of Europe's largest Hindu temple were at worship. | Campaigners also claim the killing was illegal and took place while members of Europe's largest Hindu temple were at worship. |
| The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed Temple president Gauri das | The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed Temple president Gauri das |
| Standing outside the charity's reception, Gauri das, temple president at Bhaktivedanta Manor, said: "The RSPCA unlawfully trespassed on temple property and unlawfully trespassed on the life of a cow. | Standing outside the charity's reception, Gauri das, temple president at Bhaktivedanta Manor, said: "The RSPCA unlawfully trespassed on temple property and unlawfully trespassed on the life of a cow. |
| "The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed. | "The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed. |
| "We are asking the RSPCA to accept full liability for this act. They deceived us and should accept responsibility, otherwise we will be forced to sue," he added. | "We are asking the RSPCA to accept full liability for this act. They deceived us and should accept responsibility, otherwise we will be forced to sue," he added. |
| Cows are sacred to followers of the Hindu religion, and the killing of one is considered sacrilege. | Cows are sacred to followers of the Hindu religion, and the killing of one is considered sacrilege. |
| 'No legal proceedings' | 'No legal proceedings' |
| The RSPCA state they informed staff what would happen and avoided killing the cow during prayer hours. | The RSPCA state they informed staff 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 suffered from bed sores because she could no longer stand. | At the time of her death, Gangotri had been injured for more than a year and suffered from bed sores because she could no longer stand. |
| RSPCA spokesperson Becky Hawkes said no legal proceedings had begun. | |
| "We have received a letter today, though no legal proceedings have been started against us," she said. | "We have received a letter today, though no legal proceedings have been started against us," she said. |
| "The letter asks us to admit liability for trespass to land and trespass to property. However, we entered the property accompanied by the police who were holding a valid warrant. | |
| "We acted properly, within the law, and on the advice of three independent vets who said Gangotri was in constant pain and should be put to sleep immediately." | "We acted properly, within the law, and on the advice of three independent vets who said Gangotri was in constant pain and should be put to sleep immediately." |