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Monks to protest over cow killing

4:19pm Friday 14th December 2007

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Monks from around the country will unite in protest at the Letchmore Heath Hare Krishna temple on Sunday over the execution of a sacred cow.

The RSPCA and a government vet administered a lethal injection to the ill cow on Thursday morning while worshippers were at prayer, despite assurances that no immediate action would be taken.

Cows are sacred to Hindus, and the killing of a cow is considered to be an outrageous act. The killing of a cow at a temple amounts to "religious sacrilege of the worst kind".

Sudarshan Bhatia, head of the Hindu Forum of Europe, said: "Hindu leaders from all over the country are gathering this Sunday.This issue has incensed and united everyone. They are extremely shocked and angry about this and the completely underhanded way it was conducted."

Arjan Vekharia, of the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: "It is quite unthinkable that the RSPCA entered a holy place and killed an animal which is considered by Hindus to be worthy of the greatest care and affection. It is quite outrageous that the priests were lied to."

President of the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, Watford, Gauri Das said: "We're in a state of shock and disbelief, which is turning into fury within our community.

"Justice should be done. It is so sensitive to kill a cow at a Hindu temple. We deserve an apology at least."

The community are now seeking to get an amendment to the law that would give special arrangements and protection to Hindu cows.

Mr Das added: "Cows should not be killed at our temples, in our community. There are philosophical reasons why we can't kill cows and there should be a special exception in the law. The needs of our community should be considered."

The cow, named Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian Blue and Jersey cross, was unable to stand after a "mating accident" in September last year and had been checked by various vets over a long period of time.

Gangotri will now be cremated and the ashes flown to India for a final ceremony at the River Ganges, which it was named after.

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Your Say YourWatford Observer

Hamster, Watford says...
6:43pm Fri 14 Dec 07

So these compassionate religious folk were happy to let the animal live whilst suffering? How inconsiderate of them.

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daisy, says...
7:43pm Fri 14 Dec 07

Hamster wrote:
So these compassionate religious folk were happy to let the animal live whilst suffering? How inconsiderate of them.
my point exactly, what a crock of sh1t
RIP BELGIAN BLUE

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rodders, watford says...
9:26pm Fri 14 Dec 07

what a farce some religious ideologies can be! Only the RSPCA has shown compassion and common sense here. A big embarassement for the Hindu religion in a country that cares for animals and has laws that should followed by ALL

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Roy Stockdill, says...
12:34am Sat 15 Dec 07

By what right do these people call themselves monks and priests? Do they have any serious religious qualifications or beliefs? I suspect the vast majority are just sad, ageing hippies from the 1960s and 1970s who have totally failed in society and have ended up at the Hare Krishna temple, embracing a Mickey Mouse philosophy, with nowhere else to go. What sort of religious nutters worship cows? The animal was clearly in distress and was humanely put down by the RSPCA as an act of kindness. These people are quite plainly totally potty and should be regarded as such.

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Roy Stockdill, says...
1:07am Sat 15 Dec 07

<President of the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, Watford, Gauri Das said: "We're in a state of shock and disbelief, which is turning into fury within our community.
"Justice should be done. It is so sensitive to kill a cow at a Hindu temple. We deserve an apology at least."
The community are now seeking to get an amendment to the law that would give special arrangements and protection to Hindu cows.<

What, precisely, is a Hindu cow and how does it differ from an ordinary cow, either physically or in any other way? Is a cow that lives on a farm in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Hertfordshire or anywhere else, somehow different from a cow that lives with these crackpots at Letchmore Heath? Could they explain it to us? Where did the cow that was put down come from? Was it born in the temple grounds or was it brought from elsewhere? How did it become a Hindu cow? Shouldn't we be told?
And does anyone seriously think that simpletons who worship cows deserve to be given this sort of news coverage?
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batman, gotham city says...
10:40am Sat 15 Dec 07

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!

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elaine thomas, bedmond,abbots langley says...
11:31am Sat 15 Dec 07

if the cow was suffering then the rspca have done the right thing,maybe it should have been put to sleep when it first sustained its injuries!how do you think the animal felt having to lay down all the time? yes they did the right think,the animal comes first not what the people want.

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Peter, Leeds says...
12:08pm Sat 15 Dec 07

The RSPCA is just in it for the money now, they've lost their way. They must continually grow in order to survive. Killing a cow being looked after better than you will be in hospital is never going to go down well.

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Venthan Mailoo, says...
1:27pm Sat 15 Dec 07

A considerable amount of ignorance has been displayed by some of the posters here (rodders, Roy Stockdill). I wonder if any of them actually studied Hinduism or visited the temple before passing judgement. It is action based on just this kind of ignorance that leads to unnecessary war.

In Britain euthanasia is illegal for humans but it seems to be compulsory for animals. Where is the logic in this? Some of the posts here suggest the monks were uncompassionate by keeping the cow alive (Hamster, daisy, elaine thomas). Do they mean this country is more compassionate to animals than humans? We do not put humans down after all. If there is a simple ethical answer to this problem I do not know what it is. I do not agree with deception being used though the way it seems to have been in this story. The RSPCA will not receive any funding from me in the future.

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Rowan, Newcastle says...
2:33pm Sat 15 Dec 07

Black uniforms and Euthanasia, never a good mix.

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Rasa, Radlett UK says...
3:37pm Sat 15 Dec 07

first- get the facts straight, the cow had a few bedsores because she had weak muscles after an accident. would we kill humans for a few bedsores? should we kill all paralyzed animals/humans? what about the animals that are paralyzed BECAUSE of humans? can we kill all the humans that kill animals for fun and food? how about killing the humans that skin animals alive for their fur?? yes, i have seen the pictures.
ps- hindus do not worship cows as God- worship means RESPECTING because this animal gives unconditionally.
get an education please.

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F.Walberg, Herts says...
4:24pm Sat 15 Dec 07

This atrocious act driven by the RSPCA shows their complete disregard for real animal welfare. They kill rather than cure or care for. Timothy wass the regional superintendant was boasting how he had killed a whole truck of animals that had turned over. He declared he had no problem with killing. Is this the message that we would expect from the RSPCA. They kill so many animals without a second thought.
As a visitor to the Manor I can attest that Gangotri was cared for with great attention and feeling. The community take responsibility for their old and sick animals and dont just kill them because these things are difficult for us to watch. Old age and accidents are natural parts of life and our dependent animals should be cared for with feeling and all medical attention, but not killed for our own appeasement of mind. They have a right to live and be sick as much as us humans without recourse to being killed.

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Robert, NortH AMERICA says...
6:28pm Sat 15 Dec 07

The British people are known as meat eaters around the world. So how can they have any compassion for a cow being protected by the devotees of Krsna.

The British farmers were feeding meat to their cows. Then came mad cow disease. NMot too bright.

The British are a fallen lost nation.


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frances, Hertfordshire says...
9:39pm Sat 15 Dec 07

We do care more about the welfare of animals. I wished to God that euthanasia was available for my father when he was dieing in agony. Thank God I don't have to let my dog die like my father did.

Bless the RSPCA for being brave enough to put the animal's needs before 'good PR.'

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Rowan, Newcastle says...
11:58pm Sat 15 Dec 07

"I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it need sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know why nobody told you
how to unfold you love
I don't know how someone controlled you
they bought and sold you

I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know how you were diverted
you were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
no one alerted you

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at you all
Still my guitar gently weeps "

G Harrison

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Roy Stockdill, says...
8:43am Mon 17 Dec 07

According to the latest update on this story (which doesn't yet appear to have a facility to comment on it), these so-called "monks" met at the weekend but banned the Watford Observer from reporting their meeting. Not very clever PR if they really expect public sympathy!
Secondly, they say they are going to demand a change in the law to protect their "sacred" cows. How much longer are we going to put up with fringe religious minorities - or any other minorities for that matter - demanding favouritism and special treatment to protect their own peculiar fringe beliefs and idiosyncracies?
I think I might start my own religious cult and declare tortoises and goldfish to be sacred. I bet there are a sufficient number of nutters out there who would join!

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Andrew, Dublin Ireland says...
12:20pm Mon 17 Dec 07

Anyone who has visited a slaughterhouse knows that the suffering the animals who are condemed to live there endure is much greater than that of a cow about to die a natural death.
Where are the RSPCA when we need them?

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lumpyjumper, hemel says...
12:52pm Mon 17 Dec 07

Boot em out..if they dont like our laws .. live somewhere else

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lumpyjumper, hemel says...
12:53pm Mon 17 Dec 07

Boot em out..if they dont like our laws .. live somewhere else

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lumpyjumper, hemel says...
12:56pm Mon 17 Dec 07

why cant we comment on the latest update to this story..is this the pc brigade influencing our freedom of speech again

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James Voysey, Dawlish says...
4:10pm Mon 17 Dec 07

The issue is being misrepresented anyhow by Bhaktivedanta Manor. This is not a general Hindu view, but one of a minority sect, as there is no blanket ban on animal euthanasia in Hinduism. As with many religions, it's a grey area. The bad karma of killing has to be weighed against the bad karma of not relieving severe suffering. The cow was suffering and being given quack medicines; of course the RSPCA was right to act as it did.

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Peter Knight, Romford says...
5:33pm Mon 17 Dec 07

This incident has caused me to look a bit deeper at the RSPCA and it is not pleasant reading. There are numerous complaints about their dealings in just the same way as this. Are there any records of how many animals they euthanase each year. Is this what we expect from an animal charity, that they put animals to death by sleep drugs. I thought welfare means you love and care for and treat with medicine, how on earth is killing an animal better welfare. Dear mr RSPCA man do not suffer your troubles of life it is better that you take this nice sleeping medicine that you will never wake up from. Yes harsh statement but this is what the RSPCA are asking us to accept. They have normalised killing animals as compassion rather than treating them. There is a report on the web about 150 chickens that were taken by the RSPCA and in their care only 100 were left. Who should prosecute the RSPCA? Keep them away from your animals because there remedy is to kill them and certainly not to waste good resources on treating them.

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The Law, UK says...
9:00am Tue 18 Dec 07

I guess those on here with a view that the law on animal welfare is so good prefer this amendment to the law

http://www.defra.gov
.uk/animalh/welfare/
farmed/slaughter/qur
bani-udhia.htm

Just see how there is so much hypocrisy and inconsistency regarding "so called" animal welfare, it should be called illfare, not "well", and see how the government makes the amendment for the muslim community to hang an animal upside down "ALIVE", cut it's throat so it bleeds to death, who among you crtics of the Gangotri incident would like to see that happen in your own back yard???

No feelings!

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The Law, UK says...
9:16am Tue 18 Dec 07

I seem to remember a film called "The day of the animals", it would be great if it came true, then all those who have decided they are the final word on when to kill an animal because it is suffering can be judged in the same way, let's see how they feel, everyone is afraid of death, they just may not admit it, just because an animal can't talk, we decide what is "best" for them and when they shoudl die, who do we think we are, God? Would any human like to be hung upside down to bleed to death, especially some of you critics on here, he feel you are so righteous with your "compassion" for animals, if you eat animals, just because you don't kill them yourself, (and I bet most of you critics couldn't), then you will obviously not care about sonebody else killing them, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!

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The Law, UK says...
9:46am Tue 18 Dec 07

.. and, there is a HUGE difference between and animal writhing in agony, constantly bellowing in pain, and what appears to be the case with Gangotri, then, and ONLY then, might the question of relieving the suffering animal come up, and it is a question too, not an answer. We don't create life, we don't have the right to take it either. Plus, "when oh when" will some people wake up, euthanasia is not all about compassion, it's all about saving money, and not having to spend time looking after an animal or person, who is no longer of any use to anyone.

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The Law, UK says...
9:51am Tue 18 Dec 07

.. and, there is a HUGE difference between an animal (or human), writhing in extreme agony, and bellowing in pain, obviously about to die, and what appears to be the case with Gangotri the cow, then and ONLY then might the question of taking the step to relieve the person or animal from the suffering. Also, WHEN OH WHEN will people wake up, euthanasia is not all about compassion, it's also about saving time, money and resources, when a person or animal is no longer any use to anyone, nor gives any pleasure to those who know it, then the easiest option is to dispose of it, and say it's compassion. who will argue with that?

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Andy Christo, london says...
12:16pm Thu 20 Dec 07

I think it is disgraceful what the RSPCA did to that poor cow that was actually being well looked after by the people of the temple. They did not even have a warrant and said that they did. The cow was not there property for them to just go in and do what they want. The cow may of been in pain, they should of let it die naturally like all wild animals. I have lost faith in the RSPCA, they lied about the warrant and took the law into there own hands. Something should be done about this and action should be taken against them.

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Andy Christo, says...
12:27pm Thu 20 Dec 07

I think it is disgraceful what the RSPCA did to that poor cow that was actually being well looked after by the people of the temple. They did not even have a warrant and said that they did. The cow was not there property for them to just go in and do what they want. The cow may of been in pain, they should of let it die naturally like all wild animals. I have lost faith in the RSPCA, they lied about the warrant and took the law into there own hands. Something should be done about this and action should be taken against them.

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Roy Stockdill, says...
6:33am Fri 21 Dec 07

>Monks from around the country will unite in protest at the Letchmore Heath Hare Krishna temple on Sunday over the execution of a sacred cow.<

And I wish to protest about the continuing description of these people as "monks", whether it is their own description of themselves or that of the WO!
We all know that the so-called Temple was donated by the late George Harrison and the whole cult arose out of the hippie subculture of the 1960s, for which the Beatles naively fell in a big way and moved away from when they eventually realised what a load of rubbish it was. I suspect the so-called monks are simply the fag-end of that long-dead hippie culture, rather sad people unable to live and survive in normal society and with nowhere else to go. By all means let them spout their mumbo jumbo and gibberish chanting, but it doesn't justify keeping alive an obviously sick animals for spurious religious reasons.

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jojo, beds says...
11:30pm Sun 23 Dec 07

I find these comments made by ignorant and racist people offensive, if you dont know anything about hinduism, read up on it before you write such slander. And while you re at it, take a look at factory farming so can you see how your meals are made and what cruelty is actually in your own household. I bet you will all carry on eating slaughtered animals then pretending you care about a cows welfare in a temple!

Report this post »

Hamster, Watford says...
7:19pm Mon 24 Dec 07

Venthan Mailoo wrote:
A considerable amount of ignorance has been displayed by some of the posters here (rodders, Roy Stockdill). I wonder if any of them actually studied Hinduism or visited the temple before passing judgement. It is action based on just this kind of ignorance that leads to unnecessary war. In Britain euthanasia is illegal for humans but it seems to be compulsory for animals. Where is the logic in this? Some of the posts here suggest the monks were uncompassionate by keeping the cow alive (Hamster, daisy, elaine thomas). Do they mean this country is more compassionate to animals than humans? We do not put humans down after all. If there is a simple ethical answer to this problem I do not know what it is. I do not agree with deception being used though the way it seems to have been in this story. The RSPCA will not receive any funding from me in the future.
Listen here, dumbo. There should be no exceptions for anyone purely because of their religion. If this animal were on a farm or petting zoo it would have been put down in the same way!

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Hamster, Watford says...
7:21pm Mon 24 Dec 07

Rasa wrote:
first- get the facts straight, the cow had a few bedsores because she had weak muscles after an accident. would we kill humans for a few bedsores? should we kill all paralyzed animals/humans? what about the animals that are paralyzed BECAUSE of humans? can we kill all the humans that kill animals for fun and food? how about killing the humans that skin animals alive for their fur?? yes, i have seen the pictures. ps- hindus do not worship cows as God- worship means RESPECTING because this animal gives unconditionally. get an education please.
Firstly, we are not comparing humans and animals. This is a much wider debate and not the primary issue here.

The issue is that the RSPCA made a decision based on facts. You cannot seriously suggest that the RSPCA had a motive for killing the cow when keeping it alive was the better option. Or perhaps you are?

Report this post »

Hamster, Watford says...
7:25pm Mon 24 Dec 07

Roy Stockdill wrote:
According to the latest update on this story (which doesn't yet appear to have a facility to comment on it), these so-called "monks" met at the weekend but banned the Watford Observer from reporting their meeting. Not very clever PR if they really expect public sympathy! Secondly, they say they are going to demand a change in the law to protect their "sacred" cows. How much longer are we going to put up with fringe religious minorities - or any other minorities for that matter - demanding favouritism and special treatment to protect their own peculiar fringe beliefs and idiosyncracies? I think I might start my own religious cult and declare tortoises and goldfish to be sacred. I bet there are a sufficient number of nutters out there who would join!
How dare you, Roy! In my religion goldfish symbolise the devil.

Report this post »

Hamster, Watford says...
7:29pm Mon 24 Dec 07

jojo wrote:
I find these comments made by ignorant and racist people offensive, if you dont know anything about hinduism, read up on it before you write such slander. And while you re at it, take a look at factory farming so can you see how your meals are made and what cruelty is actually in your own household. I bet you will all carry on eating slaughtered animals then pretending you care about a cows welfare in a temple!
Again you are trying to draw in issues that do not relate to this. Focus on the subject which, if I may remind you, is about a cow that was killed. This is NOT about the subject of farming or abattoirs.

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