Navy Mascot Theft: Army Tries To Steal Midshipmen's Live Goat Before Annual Football Game

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Army cadets tried to steal the U.S. Naval Academy's living goat mascot, The New York Times reported on Nov. 23.

Journalist Dave Philipps said the cadets successfully swiped one Navy goat on the weekend of Nov. 19, but they grabbed the wrong one. Instead of the current Bill 36 or Bill 37, the group brought Bill 34 back to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Army returned Bill 34 safely to his Annapolis home on Nov. 22, The Times said.

Every Navy mascot is a goat named Bill. The mascot swiped by the cadets was donated to the Naval Academy in 2007 along with Bill 33, who died this January. The pair served as mascots together until 2015.

The Times said cadets have stolen Bill at least 10 times since 1953. Navy once fought back and stole Army's mule mascots.

The traditional theft usually comes before the annual Army-Navy football game. The two service academies originally tolerated the kidnappings, but they officially banned the practice in 1992.

The Associated Press said the Army's Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams and Navy's Vice Adm. Sean Buck released this joint statement following the latest prank:

"The U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy are disappointed by the trust that was broken recently between our brothers and sisters in arms. These actions do not reflect either academy’s core values of dignity and respect."

The Navy Midshipmen (3-8) will take on the Army Black Knights (8-3) on Dec. 11 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. CBS will air the game nationally.

Army beat Navy 15-0 in last year's contest. The Black Knights have won four of the last five match-ups, but the Midshipmen lead the all-time series 61-53-7.

To learn more about the goat nabbing, read the full story in The New York Times.

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