Charity donates cow to monastery

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The RSPCA has donated a cow to a Hindu temple in Hertfordshire to replace one put down by a vet.

RSPCA vets put down Gangotri in 2007 on welfare grounds, outraging Hindus at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple in Watford where the cow lived.

Now the charity has donated a pregnant cow, Aditi, to the manor.

Cows are sacred to followers of the Hindu religion and hundreds of Hindus protested outside RSPCA headquarters after Gangotri's death.

The cow had been injured for more than a year and suffered from pressure sores because she could no longer stand.

However, campaigners claimed the killing was illegal and took place while members at the temple were at worship - a claim denied by the RSPCA.

With the donation of Aditi, the dispute between the monastery and the charity has come to an end.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We realise the significance of cows in Hindu culture and regret the offence we caused."

Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Ramesh Kallidai, said: "Whilst the actions of the RSPCA did truly hurt the Hindu community, I am glad that a suitable solution has been found that allows for all key partners to move forward keeping in mind animal welfare and the sentiments of the Hindu community."