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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Hindus protest over cow slaughter | Hindus protest over cow slaughter |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of Hindus staged a protest over allegations that the RSPCA killed their 13-year-old sacred cow by lethal injection while they worshipped. | Hundreds of Hindus staged a protest over allegations that the RSPCA killed their 13-year-old sacred cow by lethal injection while they worshipped. |
| The group was accused of secretly putting down a Belgian blue-jersey cross, while Hindus at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Herts, were at prayer. | The group was accused of secretly putting down a Belgian blue-jersey cross, while Hindus at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Herts, were at prayer. |
| But the RSPCA denied the allegation, stating they informed staff on site "exactly" what would happen. | But the RSPCA denied the allegation, stating they informed staff on site "exactly" what would happen. |
| It added that it avoided killing the cow during prayer hours. | It added that it avoided killing the cow during prayer hours. |
| Some 200 delegates were sent to RSPCA headquarters in Horsham, West Sussex, on Wednesday after the cow called Gangotri was given a lethal injection. Another 700 Hindus held prayers at the Manor. | |
| 'Considered sacrilege' | 'Considered sacrilege' |
| Vinay Tanna, temple spokesperson, said: "The RSPCA professes to be a compassionate organisation, but their starting point is to kill first. Ours is to tend the animal's needs and treat it to get better. | Vinay Tanna, temple spokesperson, said: "The RSPCA professes to be a compassionate organisation, but their starting point is to kill first. Ours is to tend the animal's needs and treat it to get better. |
| "Gangotri was taken care of by two herdsmen 24 hours a day, and was under the supervision of two vets, both of whom did not recommend the cow be euthanised." | "Gangotri was taken care of by two herdsmen 24 hours a day, and was under the supervision of two vets, both of whom did not recommend the cow be euthanised." |
| Cows are sacred to Hindus, and the killing of one is considered sacrilege. | Cows are sacred to Hindus, and the killing of one is considered sacrilege. |
| The temple runs The Cow Protection Project and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally. | The temple runs The Cow Protection Project and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally. |
| Gangotri was described by Hindu community leader Gauri Das as being sick but not suffering from any disease. | Gangotri was described by Hindu community leader Gauri Das as being sick but not suffering from any disease. |
| The RSPCA said it was sympathetic towards to representatives of Bhaktivedanta Manor, but that it put animal welfare first. | The RSPCA said it was sympathetic towards to representatives of Bhaktivedanta Manor, but that it put animal welfare first. |
| 'Put to sleep' | 'Put to sleep' |
| In a statement, it said: "It is sad we had to take this action, but the most important things was that this animal was suffering and to allow this situation to continue would have been wrong. | In a statement, it said: "It is sad we had to take this action, but the most important things was that this animal was suffering and to allow this situation to continue would have been wrong. |
| "The RSPCA acted on the advice of three competent veterinary surgeons, all of which concurred that the animal was suffering and should be euthanised immediately. | "The RSPCA acted on the advice of three competent veterinary surgeons, all of which concurred that the animal was suffering and should be euthanised immediately. |
| "The cow was put to sleep under veterinary supervision and the method used was completely humane, causing the cow no extra suffering. | "The cow was put to sleep under veterinary supervision and the method used was completely humane, causing the cow no extra suffering. |
| "The allegation of a history of mercy killings is entirely unsubstantiated. The RSPCA puts animals to sleep only as a last resort and then only to prevent them suffering further." | "The allegation of a history of mercy killings is entirely unsubstantiated. The RSPCA puts animals to sleep only as a last resort and then only to prevent them suffering further." |