Unusual news: Danish air force compensates Santa after fighter jets scare reindeer to death

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - The Danish Air Force said Thursday it paid the equivalent of about $5,880 Cdn in compensation to a part-time Santa Claus whose reindeer died of heart failure when two fighter jets roared over his farm.


The animal, named Rudolf, was grazing peacefully at the central Denmark farm of Olavi Nikkanoff when the screaming F-16 jets passed overhead at low altitude in February.

The reindeer collapsed and died, leaving Nikkanoff with the prospect of only one animal pulling his sleigh next Christmas.

He complained to the air force, which agreed to compensate him for the cost of the reindeer and veterinary expenses.

"We got a letter from Santa complaining about his reindeer's death and looked into it seriously," air force spokesman Capt. Morten Jensen said.

The air force checked flight data and veterinary reports and concluded the planes had likely caused the animal's death.

"We're more than happy to pay if it means that children around the world will get their presents," Jensen said.

Nikkanoff said he was satisfied with the compensation and would use it to buy a new reindeer before Christmas.

Shhhh, don't tell my kids that the real Rudolph dropped dead from fright.

My 23rd Post

Okay my once DEAR friend, Melissa has tagged me. Here are the rules:

Go into your archive
Find your 23rd post.
Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
Tag five other people to do the same.

My 23rd post was a Christmas post and here's the fifth sentence: "ohhhh my nutcracker"


I'm tagging Kathy's Potomus, Sandy and the drama life, Bridget's Happy Hour Somewhere, Karen's Momness and hmmmm I'll give preggo Sam a break and Bethie it will be.