British Officials Euthanize Cow Being Protected By Hindu Monks

In Britain, according to yesterday's Times Online, leaders of the Hindu Community at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple in Hertfordshire are considering legal action against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after RSPCA officials euthanized a cow while worshippers were at prayer. Officials were carrying out provisions of Britain's Animal Welfare Act that makes it an offense to permit an animal to suffer unnecessarily. The cow, suffering from a muscle-wasting disease, was being cared for by monks at a temple that former Beatle George Harrison donated to the Cow Protection Project. The Project allow cows and bulls-- considered sacred by Hindus-- to die naturally. The temple's account of events are posted on its website.