A secretive Christian coven has issued an edict to its members to purge their pets after a relative of the sect’s leader was bitten by a dog.
Members of the Plymouth Brethren were reportedly told to cull their ‘dogs, cats, birds and mice’ in response to Bruce Hales’ 4-year-old family member requiring stitches.
The order issued by the Australian branch of the conservative Christian movement on 2 May, as reported by the Brisbane Times also applies to the thousands of members in Britain.
In a letter delivered at services held in the UK, New Zealand and Australia parishioners were told it is: ‘clearly wrong’ to keep a dog in their house.
The missive continued: ‘There are reports of some Brethren having reverted to owning pets, including dogs and other animals, which practice has been clearly spoken against in ministry.
“Every household should be freshly exercised [concerned] to ensure the standard … is carried forward and maintained.’
The Plymouth Brethren deny that this letter amounts to a call for pets to be killed and argue it is an affirmation of a long-standing outlawing of pet ownership for members.
The allegations bear resemblance to reports in the 1960s that the Plymouth Brethren ordered a similar pet culling.
John Nelson Darby: The founder of the Plymouth Brethren which is popular in Australia today
The claims were denied at the time and are still rejected today.
A spokeswoman on behalf of the group said: ‘We are aware of untrue and distressing online commentary which has misconstrued this as members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church being told to euthanise their pets.
‘The church would never condone cruelty to any living creature, and this position is being strongly reinforced to our congregation. We have the utmost respect for all of God’s creations.’
The Plymouth Brethren was established in the 19th century in England.
It was formed by former members of the Anglican Church who believed it was too closely linked to worldly matters.
They argued the church had abandoned the fundamental teachings of the New Testament and had become embroiled in politics.
John Nelson Derby, a protestant theologian, established many of the core beliefs of the group- including stressing the importance of an individual relationship with God.
In an effort to stay close to the teachings of Jesus, members of the Plymouth Brethren distance themselves from distractions and focus on their faith.
This includes only marrying fellow members, and not eating or drinking with anyone outside of the faith.
The founding members quickly moved to North and South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand and used the name 'Plymouth' as many of them came from the town.
According to the movement's website there are 55,000 members worldwide.