A year after the RSPCA put down a local temple's sacred cow the charity has apologised and offered a “hardy” and healthy replacement.

On December 13, 2007, the animal protection group put down Bhaktivedanta Manor's 13-year-old Belgian Blue/Jersey Cross to end suffering caused by a “mating incident” that left her unable to walk for more than a year.

The action sparked protests from Hindu organisations across the world and threatened legal action against the charity but until today the RSPCA had not publicly apologised for its decision to kill the animal.

A full page apology will now appear in Hindu newspapers and a “high-yielding” Meuse-Rhine Issel cow has been offered as a replacement for Gangotri.

The RSPCA apologised for “any hurt or offence caused” saying it followed the law but unwillingly upset the Hindu community.

This afternoon hindu leaders from across the country gathered at the temple to celebrate the apology and future protection of cows stemming from a new protocol by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Stuart Coyle, the chief herdsman at the temple, said: “This resolution will protect our cows at our large new centre opening in August next year and I believe the temple and the RSPCA can now work together for animal welfare. The gesture by the RSPCA of donating a cow, has touched our hearts.”

Kapil Dudakia, the chair of the Gangotri Task Force, set up in protest to the killing, said: ”The Hindu community was shocked at the events leading to the killing of Gangotri, however, over the past year we have worked steadfastly with DEFRA and also the RSPCA to seek a solution that would address the issues of concern to the Hindu community and also ensure that animal welfare remains a priority for all of us.

"We look forward to working with both the RSPCA and DEFRA so that such incidents can be avoided in the future.”