British Army Demotes Mascot Goat, Billy

Undated photo released by the Ministry of Defence of a British army regiment's ceremonial pet goat which was demoted in disgrace after it marched out of line before a host of international dignitaries during a parade to mark Queen's Elizabeth II's birthday, a military spokesman said Saturday June 24 2006. The military mascot, a 6-year-old male goat called Billy, pictured with handler Lance Corporal Dai Davies, was downgraded from the rank of lance corporal to fusilier — the same status as a private — after army chiefs ruled his poor display had ruined the ceremony on June 16 at a British army base in Episkopi, western Cyprus. The regiment, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, has traveled with a pet goat since soldiers adopted one of the animals during the Crimean War.(AP Photo)