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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Festive goat up in flames again | Festive goat up in flames again |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A giant straw goat erected each Christmas in a northern Swedish town has been burned down - yet again. | A giant straw goat erected each Christmas in a northern Swedish town has been burned down - yet again. |
| The 13m-high (43ft) animal in Gavle has been torched 23 times since it was first erected in 1966. It has also been hit by a car and had its legs cut off. | The 13m-high (43ft) animal in Gavle has been torched 23 times since it was first erected in 1966. It has also been hit by a car and had its legs cut off. |
| The vandals are rarely caught, though in 2001 a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight. | The vandals are rarely caught, though in 2001 a 51-year-old American tourist spent 18 days in jail after being convicted of setting it alight. |
| In 2007, the goat managed to make it through the festive season unscathed. | In 2007, the goat managed to make it through the festive season unscathed. |
| Goat committee spokeswoman Anna Ostman said she was saddened to learn that this year's unlucky creature had been set on fire early on Saturday morning. | |
| But she said: "We have been so happy that he survived through Christmas Eve, which is the toughest period every year. | |
| "So far this year, people from 105 countries have followed the goat via the webcams and many become really sad when they learn that he's burned down." | |
| The 7m-long (23ft), three tonne goat was originally designed to attract tourists to Gavle, which is 106 miles (170km) north of the Swedish capital. | The 7m-long (23ft), three tonne goat was originally designed to attract tourists to Gavle, which is 106 miles (170km) north of the Swedish capital. |
| GOAT HIGHLIGHTS 1966: The first goat is burned down - beginning the tradition1970: It is set on fire six hours after being erected1971: Tired of arson, the project is abandoned. Schoolchildren build a miniature. It is smashed to pieces.1976: A car crashes into the goat1979: The goat is burned down before it is finished1987: The goat is treated with fireproofing - but still goes up in smoke | GOAT HIGHLIGHTS 1966: The first goat is burned down - beginning the tradition1970: It is set on fire six hours after being erected1971: Tired of arson, the project is abandoned. Schoolchildren build a miniature. It is smashed to pieces.1976: A car crashes into the goat1979: The goat is burned down before it is finished1987: The goat is treated with fireproofing - but still goes up in smoke |
| But in its first year it was burned down on New Year's Eve and since then has been attacked regularly. | But in its first year it was burned down on New Year's Eve and since then has been attacked regularly. |
| In 2005, it was torched by two arsonists dressed as Father Christmas and the Gingerbread Man. | In 2005, it was torched by two arsonists dressed as Father Christmas and the Gingerbread Man. |
| Authorities in Gavle have tried to protect the goat using fireproofing chemicals and security guards. | |
| But just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. | But just 10 of the goats, which are built in the town's central square, have survived beyond Christmas since 1966. |
| Goats have a special place in Swedish tradition. According to folklore, they delivered festive gifts before Father Christmas took over. | Goats have a special place in Swedish tradition. According to folklore, they delivered festive gifts before Father Christmas took over. |