Swedish 'Christmas Goat' Gets 24 Hour Security

For 40 years it has been torched, vandalized, had its legs cut off and even been run over by a car. But officials in Sweden are guaranteeing that this year's giant straw Christmas goat will survive unscathed.

The 43-foot-high goat is centuries-old symbol that precedes Santa Claus as the bringer of gifts to Swedish homes. And it has been burned down more than 20 times since it was first set up in a city square in 1966.

But for its 40th anniversary, officials think they have finally outsmarted vandals by dousing it with flame-resistant chemicals normally used on airplanes.

"It is impossible to burn it to the ground this year, although you might be able to singe its paws", says a spokeswoman for the committee in charge of building the goat. "After 40 years, we think we finally found the solution".

Security guards have also been setup to watched over the goat.

Since 1966, just 10 of the giant goats have survived beyond Christmas Day. With some being burned, several beaten down and the one hit by a car.

Witnesses said last year's vandals were dressed up as Santa Claus and the Gingerbread Man. The pair fired flaming arrows at the goat to bring it down.

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