A delegation of saffron-robed Hindu monks marched on the RSPCA’s headquarters today to serve legal papers over the charity's slaughter of one of their sacred cows.

Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian Blue-Jersey cross, was put down by the RSPCA on December 13 last year in what the charity called a mercy killing of an animal in severe suffering.

At the time of her death, she had been injured for over a year, and, unable to stand, had become plagued by bedsores.

But the monks and nuns of Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, Europe’s biggest Hindu temple, claim Gangotri was illegally slaughtered and that the killing was carried out while they were at worship.

Six of the monks descended on the Horsham headquarters of the RSPCA, Britain’s leading animal welfare charity, to protest against the act, which they say was conducted with no respect for their religious values.

“The RSPCA unlawfully trespassed on temple property and unlawfully trespassed on the life of a cow,” Gauri Das, president at Bhaktivedanta Manor, declared outside the building.

“The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed. The way they carried out this act on the sacred premises of a temple with no dialogue was completely unacceptable."

Handing over a letter to John Rolls, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion, he demanded the charity accept full liability for the act or the temple would be forced to sue.

Gangotri’s death drew outrage from Britain’s 750,000-strong Hindu community, which regards all life as sacred. The cow in particular is revered as a matriarchal symbol of abundance and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return.

In January, around 100 protesters gathered outside the House of Commons to protest over the actions of the RSPCA, which they claimed was an organisation of “suited and booted murderers.”

A delegation from Bhaktivedanta Manor later visited India to scatter Gangotri’s ashes in the River Ganges.

The temple runs the Cow Protection Project, which cares for old cows and bulls, and allows them to die naturally. Though Gangotri was unwell, the monks claim she was receiving the best medical care and attention.

The RSPCA vigorously denies the temple’s version of events, insisting it informed staff at the temple of what they were going to do, and avoided killing the cow during prayers.

“We believe we acted properly, within the law, but clearly they are of a different opinion,” Mr Rolls said.

“I am sorry it has got to this point. I think the issue could be addressed through dialogue rather than the courts and it is unfortunate they are taking this action."

“We were brought in by a veterinary surgeon who was concerned Gangotri was suffering and this was confirmed by two independent vets. The animal was in constant pain, with wasted limbs and had difficulty breathing.

“The conclusion was Gangotri needed to be euthanised. The public would expect us to end an animal’s suffering in a humane way and that is what we did.”

The temple’s campaign, called Justice for Gangotri, also cites the case of Shambo, a bullock put down at a Hindu community in west Wales last year after a positive test for bovine tuberculosis. His demise too was the focus of widespread protest from the Hindu community, and religious leaders have called for a code of practice to avoid any repetition and for special provision to protect animals at Hindu holy sites.

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