(no subject)
Air force gives Santa cash for reindeer
Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published September 30, 2005
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK -- The Danish Air Force said Thursday that it paid about $5,000 in compensation to a part-time Santa Claus whose reindeer died of heart failure when two fighter jets roared over his farm.
Rudolf was grazing at the farm of Olavi Nikkanoff in central Denmark when the screaming F-16 jets passed low overhead in February. The reindeer collapsed and died.
The air force checked flight data and veterinary reports and concluded the planes had caused the animal's death.
Nikkanoff said he would use the money to buy a new reindeer before Christmas.
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