‘Dangerous nuisance’: Austria warns against online cow kissing challenge
- Internet users encouraged to smooch bovines to raise money for charity
- Such actions could have ‘serious consequences’, agriculture minister says, noting that cows could become aggressive when defending their calves
The Austrian government on Thursday warned internet users to shun an online cow kissing challenge, calling it a “dangerous nuisance”.
A Swiss app called Castl launched the #KuhKussChallenge (“Cow Kiss Challenge”) on Wednesday, encouraging users in Switzerland and other German-speaking countries to kiss cows – “with or without tongues” – to raise money for charity.
But Austrian Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Koestinger branded the challenge a “dangerous nuisance” in a statement on Thursday.
“Pastures and meadows are not petting zoos – actions like these could have serious consequences,” she added, pointing out that cows could become aggressive when defending their calves.
Balancing the activities of tourists and cattle farmers is a sensitive topic in Austria’s mountain regions, with both being key pillars of the region’s economy.
