<P> The RSPCA is working for a world in which no rehomable animal is put to sleep . Currently the RSPCA accepts, with great reluctance that in certain circumstances euthanasia may be necessary, when the animal is not rehomable, because it is sick or injured, for behavioural reasons or occasionally because there are no appropriate homes available and the animal would therefore endure long - term suffering through deprivation of basic needs . </P> <P> There have been incidents where the RSPCA has apologised for decisions to euthanise animals . In 2008, the RSPCA was sued by Hindu monks over the killing of a sacred cow at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple and 200 people protested at the RSPCA headquarters . On 13 December 2008, the RSPCA admitted culpability, apologised for the killing of the cow, and donated a pregnant cow to the temple as a symbol of reconciliation . </P> <P> The RSPCA admitted that in 2014 it had euthanised 205 healthy horses . In one particular case 12 horses from a Lancashire farm that had been assessed by vets as being "bright, alert and responsive" and suffering no life - threatening issues were killed by the RSPCA . In a 2016 court case the RSPCA admitted that in 2015 it had illegally slaughtered 11 healthy horses, and attempted to charge the owner for 100 days of stabling fees for the period after the horses were already dead . The charge was overturned in a court decision . </P> <P> In May 2013 former RSPCA employee Dawn Aubrey - Ward was found hanged at her home when suffering from depression after leaving the animal charity . Aubrey - Ward was described by The Daily Telegraph as a whistleblower for the RSPCA's prosecution practices . The RSPCA subsequently had a meeting with the Charity Commission over its approach to prosecutions . </P>

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