Cow Kissing Challenge: Austrian government warns online activity

People would surely remember the widely-practiced – Ice Bucket Challenge, a campaign launched in 2014 to promote awareness of fatal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and encouraged donations for research. The challenge would include people filmed as they dumped a bucket of iced water over their heads.

The challenge gained massive popularity as many notable personalities across the world, including former US president Barack Obama, tried it themselves.

As of now, the “Kuh Kuss Challenge” aka “Cow Kissing Challenge” —is all the rage in Austria. People are in a frenzy over a bizarre practice of kissing cows.

The disturbing trend has been promoted by Swiss app Castl, which launched its weird “Cow Kiss Challenge” to raise money for charity on Wednesday.

The criteria of the challenge also stated that it could be done “with or without tongues”.

Considering the risk, the Austrian government slammed the idea and issued a warning to internet users to reject the practice that may put their lives in danger. Officials dubbed the challenge as “dangerous nuisance”.

“Pastures and meadows are not petting zoos – actions like these could have serious consequences”, officials issued the warning.

Castl has been encouraging people in Switzerland, Germany and Austria to kiss cows for a good cause.

As a result, people have been filmed wandering onto paddocks, approaching cows, and kissing the confused animals.