Her life saved, Bulgarian cow Penka waits to rejoin herd

Swatting away the flies with her long tail, Penka the cow happily munches on hay, unaware of the international stir she has caused.

The cow from the Bulgarian village of Kopilovtsi has won fame and Europe-wide support since she wandered into neighbouring Serbia for two weeks last month and authorities threatened to put her down on her return.

Bulgaria is a European Union member, Serbia isn't. EU rules state that any animal entering the bloc from the outside must have proper veterinary approvals and Penka didn't, so she faced a death sentence.

But after the outcry pro-Penka campaigners included former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney authorities ran tests on Penka that proved she was healthy.

"So many people saw our story and expressed their support," owner Raina Georgieva said this week. "I believed that there would be mercy for our Penka."