Avoid cows in Nepal
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325793)
Rockingham, Australia
November 5, 2018 5:50pm CST
Vince took this photo in Nepal while he was there recently. Cows are sacred there as they are in some other countries. However what we didn’t know that if you hit a cow with a vehicle, even accidentally, it is a mandatory three months jail.
If you are unlucky enough to cause its death, you are jailed for six years. Two years ago when he was there, there was talk of lessening these penalties but most of the population was against any changes. The advice to tourists was that if you hit a cow, you high-tailed it away from the area. Water-buffalo which are used as draught animals and for meat are not considered ‘cows’.
I've cropped the photo a little to make it appear right-way up but isn't it a lovely face (although it has a few wrinkles down its neck)?
21 people like this
23 responses
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
6 Nov 18
That's a beautiful animal. Hitting something that big seems the driver wouldn't survive to be put in jail.
6 people like this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
6 Nov 18
@JudyEv Haha, that's exactly what I noticed just didn't think to mention. Where the heck are the flies?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
@Namelesss You would think they'd normally be swarming in its eyes and nostrils.
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Nov 18
Vince said much the same. They have no respect for people and can be dangerous.
@pitstop (13054)
• India
6 Nov 18
I guess it's good to know about local customs, practices and beliefs when you visit a new country.
Here are religious sentiments and best to respect them even if you don't understand them.
I find that locals will also respect you when you know their culture and beliefs. It's mutual.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Nov 18
I've always been curious as to why cows are considered sacred animals in some countries. What is it about them that make them sacred? Why are they sacred and not water buffaloes?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Nov 18
@JudyEv I'm certainly not trying to mock anyone's religion, just curious to know.
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Nov 18
@moffittjc I know you wouldn't be mocking religion. I would like to know too but I guess it is just an age-old custom that cows are regarded as sacred. Isn't there something called animism where people worship different animals?
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
6 Nov 18
Aww what a sweet little face! That to me is really crazy they will put someone in jail for so long for an accident. I could see if they were drunk or something and killed the cow by driving but just accidentally hitting one seems nuts! Are they in the roads like deer are here and kangaroo are where you live? I have thankfully never hit a deer but just about everyone I know has.
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@shaggin (71666)
• United States
7 Nov 18
@JudyEv wow that is just so sad to me that they would be imprisoned for an accident like that. I love animals but I feel this is taking things to far. If they did it on purpose like just went up and killed it sure give them jail time but if they all across roads they risk getting hit it's not the people's fault.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
They just roam the streets and roads like deer and kangaroo but they're 'sacred'. It is certainly a tough penalty. I don't know how often cows get hit but Vince said some drivers drive very fast and recklessly so you'd think there would be a few hit from time to time.
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@allknowing (130066)
• India
6 Nov 18
India is overdoing it. People who kill cows for meat are lynched and the government seems to give a blind eye to these crimes.
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@allknowing (130066)
• India
7 Nov 18
@JudyEv In leaps and bounds - thanks to the present government
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
@allknowing And if a corrupt government gets in power they can be very hard to oust.
@mesbakh (2284)
• Indonesia
6 Nov 18
in bali too. so muslim in Bali dont slaughter cow to respect the hindu in bali when eid al adha come. in one city in my province, kudus, even the people is muslim, they still dont slaughter cows as tradition since their ancestor was hindu, hundred years ago and as replacement, the eat buffalo meat
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
I thought it was the Hindu religion that regarded cows as sacred so thanks for confirming that. Australia does send a lot of cattle to Indonesia so many of the people must eat beef.
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Nov 18
@JudyEv - Oh, my! That would be terrible. They are such large animals, that it is possible you would not be able to leave the scene, because of the damage to the car. I think that I would drive very, very slowly if I were ever in Nepal. I would not want to risk that penalty!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Nov 18
@JudyEv - I hope Vince is very careful on his trips to Nepal.
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
@DeborahDiane He doesn't drive there so I hope he is never 'guilty by association'. It is doubtful if he would go again.
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Nov 18
I can imagine that cows would be quite valuable in Indonesia.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
6 Nov 18
I will put that on my "not to do" list. Thanks for the warning.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 18
Haha. A little bit of trivial you probably won't need. 
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
7 Nov 18
wow! In that case, if I come back as a cow in my next life, I would love to be in Nepal.. For sure I won't become pieces of steaks .. heheeh!! ..
That sure is a beautiful looking cow ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
8 Nov 18
@JudyEv Yes.. I'll be like the queen of the road.. untouchable
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@JudyEv (325793)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Nov 18
It may not be quite full grown but it certainly is not a calf.
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
6 Nov 18
I've never been to Nepal, but in India, they are used to getting their own way. It can be quite hard to keep out of their path, especially in a narrow alley shared with motor bikes, tuk-tuks and market stalls!
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