Penka the cow was spared death sentence and by the end of the week she would be returned to her owner. This was what the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has announced. The decision was made after laboratory tests showed the cow was healthy.

The animal became world famous because of the agency's original plans to kill it on grounds that it violated EU laws. The violation came as the cow was grazing in the lush fields in western Bulgaria but decided to cross the border and stay for two weeks in neighboring Serbia, which is not part of the European Union. Returning of the cow back to Bulgaria turned out to be problematic because of strict EU regulations.

Saving the life of Penka the cow was also welcomed by European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas, who said: "Long live Penka the cow! It is good when you can leave the EU and then come back."