The RSPCA did not do this by themselves, they consulted with DEFRA, 3 vets, and the police. They all agreed that this animal was suffering. Well done to the RSPCA and all involved for taking the correct action. Remember those who are speaking from the temple were not impartial - they lived with this animal while it gradually deteriorated, they probably did not see how much pain the animal was in. Do you really think those involved would end an animal's life if it wasn't completely necessary - especially when you consider the religious impact of their actions?

3 professional vets cannot be wrong about an animal's well-being. Well done RSPCA.

Andrew, Barnsley, UK

Could Krishna, or another Hindu god, have been acting through the RSPCA to end the suffering of this cow?

Barry, Ipswich,

disgraceful behaviour and one in which jeapordises the trust and faith we have in this government ! Its dispicable acts like this that upset the very social fabric of this so called secular society and create distance between communities !!

Shame!

Manish Patel, London, UK

Gangotri was a cow of a very gentle nature,i was there just after her injury and she was hurt by the bull during a mating session,but as time went on she was considered a 'downed' cow and was crippled by the incident but in no way did she have a muscle wasting disease and suffered through constant suffering,cows are VERY sacred to us and in no shape or form would we allow or dear cows/bulls to suffer unessesarily.
She had bed sores but they were tended to very carefully.
The propaganda by the RSPCA
is an unjustifiable attempt to cover there
mallicious cruelty inflicted on our beloved Mother.
Those people who are agreeing with the RSPCA
(Royal Society for the Proposterous cruelty to Animals) should look deep very deep within themselves and understand that the only difference between us and the animals is our choice of reasoning and their lack of it.
the meat eating people of this world should reform and give up this most cruel and barbaric practice of devouring the corpses of the dead

Tar Road Trucker, London, Herts

Did the cow tell anyone whether it was Hindu or not?

Nick, Bangkok,

This was disgraceful behaviour on the part of the RSPCA, to sneak in and kill the animal, without even informing her carers. Especially distressing to the monks who would have wanted to give the cow a good send off when she died, and were denied that possibility.

Elfreda, Bristol, UK

The sacred animal concerned was receiving around the clock treatment. At no time was it wallowing in its own faeces - it was cared for just as one would a bed ridden family member. I have personally visited and seen the treatment Gangotri received - better than the ailing old relatives conveniently dump into care homes. As far as the Animal Welfare Act 2006 is concerned, the RSPCA had no enforcement rights to enter and oversee the killing. They were simply acting in malice and probably wanted to assert their non-existent authority over the passive and naive monks at the temple. Our law needs to take into account the religious views of Hindus and come to terms with the fact that this religion has the highest regard for cows. The surreptitious act of the RSPCA robbed the monks the opportunity to perform the final rites before the cow was killed. This is extremely upsetting. How will you feel if your mother was killed before you could say goodbye?

Marci, Watford,

I am a veterinary nurse and know how much recumbant animals suffer. Not only do they endure agonizing decubital ulcers, their breathing is impaired and the heart muscle has to work excessively. Finally, a recumbant animal has no dignity - it is literally laying in its own faeces. The veterinarians attending this animal took an oath to prevent animal suffering. The law in this country attempts to promote animals welfare. If the congregation at this temple don't respect the laws of this country, maybe they should move their temple elsewhere.

Frances, Hatfield, UK

Under the new animal welfare act, the RSPCA are in the right, as they have acted to prevent further suffering of an animal with an incurable disease- this is not murder, it is euthanasia, a perfectly legal concept where animals in this country are concerned. Death, including slaughter at abbatoir and euthanasia for animals, is not considered a welfare issue under law, as long as it s provided with compassion by a trained individual, such as a licenced slaughterman or veterinary surgeon.
While I realise that these animals are regarded as sacred by Hindu people, surely a peaceful end to this animal's suffering is preferable to her wasting away in a slow painful death? And wouldn't we all say the same for our own demises?

Ashleigh, Wirral,

I feel disappointed, not just in the RSPCA, but also in some of these comments. There is a display of intolerance and ignorance in several of the comments left here. It seems that many in this country seem to wish to stir things up and create agitation. The treatment of the cow in question was far superior to anything probably any other cow on any farm in the UK would receive. Yet we don't see the RSPCA or individuals posting comments about the terrible treatment of animals found on farms-it is ignorance, selfishness and hypocrasy. People are happy to have an animal suffer, lead a poor quality of life, and then be slaughtered in a horrid fashion, if it is to be put on their plate to feed their fat belly. And they are happy to have this done to 13,000,000 animals in the UK each year. Would the authourities act the same way in a Mosque (if they kept animals), not a chance! Hindus are treated with less respect than any other major religion, even when they are exercising care and kindness

Neil, Aberdeen,

I dont think RSPCA did the wrong thing but they should have told the temple authorities that if they couldnt do anyhting for the bull then they would have to lethally inject it. Makes sense.....of course its a case of ethics of transactions and such ethics can be transferred to other transactions...how would you like it if a mechanic chucked your serviceable radiator and put in a new one?

Dev, Perth, Australia

I have a question for those who think it is inhumane to let the cow live - would it not be logical then to kill a human being who is suffering? It is classed as murder! Killing the cow in the same way, in my opinion, is murder!

Yogi, London, UK

Pain is often a natural part of the end of life. Some beliefs argue that is in fact a necessary part of the death process.

It seems to be a common trait amongst western culture to assume arrogantly its superiority of belief and then to force its acceptance on other cultures.

Hari Karam Singh, London,

Why not put the animal out of it's misery? I respect different cultures and religion, but this is a different matter. Would you like to see someone you loved waste away and live in pain? Why make an animal suffer.

Get over yourself. If it was me in the cow's position I would beg for the injection.

Charlotte, St. Helens, UK

Shame on RSPCA.I long ago stopped giving to this organisation when I found that in animal welfare cases they always choose the soft easy option to persue.
When the DDA came in they demanded the death of many beloved family pets in court just because the dog had barked at someone .They can't even get their breeds of dog correct.
May they receive their just reward.

Paula Pearce, London, UK

The devotees were caring for this cow as a precious member of their own family. How would you like it if a doctor came into your home and killed a sick relative , because they were "suffering".

DAVID EDWARDS, Watford, Herts

Be afraid, be very afraid, the wrath of the cow-god is upon us.

jasper, chelmsford,

This will give the RSPCA something to reflect about as they have their turkey dinners, sausage stuffing and Foie Gras while the Hindus have their lentils and rice. I think the temple will know in future to keep the uniforms out.

Charles, London, UK

I think the RSPCA was right on this one. Just because it was in a Hindu temple does it deserve to suffer???? Why should it be treated any different to a cow on a farm??? Would they be so uppity about it if the cow had had a contagious disease that affected humans? I think not!!!!!
The RSPCA was 100% in the right!!!!!!!!!!

louise, leeds, uk

i have lived in india 35 years. religion is the way we coonect to god.the horizontal dimension is our fellow human beings.so in india human beings die of hunger or lead very sorry lives.
i myself was hated because of my caste and the fact that i did not really swallow bigotry
so killing a cow because it is diseased is logical,faith follows reason not the other way about
to say that the british police are bad is something very irreligous indeed you are spoiling the name.
i have been to a british police station in london and i have been treated with great respect and courtesy
british police have stopped their cars for me to pass
does hindu culture in india promote such values?
i would say no
police in india are very corrupt,play into the hands of corrupt politicians who use the police to acoomodate their crimes
taking advantage of british hospitality,and kindness and open mindedness and sense of fair play is something very irreligous indeed
y are christians harrased in india?

simon caetano fernandes, london, uk

I have to say that I agree with the RSPCA on this one. I'm all for animals dying naturally and with dignity but this cow was in pain and suffering, prolonging it's life would only prolong it's agony.

The law in this case also states that animals that have bovine tuberculosis must be put down to stop the risk of infection. This bull could have potentially put the entire herd at risk of illness and potentially infecting their human carers.

I understand that the Hidu religion worships cows and respects them but surely it would be more reaspectful to the cow to let it die in peace rather than in pain? But, then I am in favour of the same approach when it comes to humans too.

Sarah Howson, Chester, UK

The RSPCA should really have known that we do everything differently when minority religious groups are involved and that they have their own special wavers over laws that everyone else has to abide by ... Shame on the RSPCA for treating everyone the same , don't they understand ? This is not how modern Britain works !

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

I'm happen to be very ill. I'm suffering. Should the RSPCA sneak in and giving me a lethal injection?

Of course people, even atheists like me, are siding with the religious group on this. The religious group happens to be in the right on this particular issue!

Keith Terrence, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

I can't believe that people are actually siding with the religion over this. It was clearly suffering, and would have just got worse. It was dying anyway so they should allow it to be put down.

Why should religion mean that they can let things suffer.

Luke Carroll, London, UK

Murder is never acceptable. The RSPCA should butt out of temples. Shame on your RSPCA.

Phil, Maryland, USA

Did the RSPCA ask the cow what it wanted or consider how they would feel in the cows position?

Ed, London, UK

The RSPCA should respect the fact that the cow should have been allowed last rights according to the Hindu tradition. Also, having visited the cow protection scheme at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, I know that cows are treated like people if not better. They are fed exotic fruits and are worshiped as mothers. The RSPCA should at least respect another organisation that has the same ethos of protecting innocent animals, this is a stupid move by the RSPCA.

David Walker, London, UK

I wonder what Richard Dawkins would have said about this?

Religion is not an acceptable excuse behind which to hide animal cruelty.

Chris, Ashford, Middlesex,

Why don't the RSPCA and DEFRA do something about the thousands of animals being painfully and unnecessarily slaughtered/culled daily? Isnt this the greatest type of suffering that can be inflicted upon a living entity? If the "welfare" act is genuinely based on the basic principle of compassion, it should be extended to stop innocent animals being killed in time for our Christmas dinners. This whole issue has highlighted that we live in an age of great hypocrascy. Unless as a society we wake up to these gross injustices all around us, the factual degradation that we read about daily - is sure to continue...

Nandagopa, London, uk

Well done RSPCA.

brian, Cirencester, UK