Odd News

Mascot, acting the goat, demoted

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-26 10:24

Billy Goat, the regimental mascot of the First Battalion, the Royal Welsh regiment parades before the six nations Rugby union match between Wales and Italy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, in this March 11, 2006 file photo. Billy, the six-year-old mascot has been demoted in disgrace for acting the goat during a parade in full view of dignitaries. [Reuters]

The six-year-old mascot for a British army battalion has been demoted in disgrace for acting the goat during a parade in full view of dignitaries.

Billy Goat has been a mascot of the First Battalion, the Royal Welsh regiment, since he was six months old and had the official rank of lance-corporal before his frisky antics during a parade marking Queen Elizabeth's official birthday earlier this month.

The army said he had been demoted to fusilier (private) as a result of his behavior.

"The goat major had a hard time keeping him in line, he was bouncing around all over the place," military spokesman Captain Crispian Coates told Reuters Saturday.

Doubly embarrassing was Billy's refusal to obey commands in front of diplomats and army top brass, Coates said.

"This is his first overseas tour. He has certainly not made a good start for himself."