How many animals does it take to run the Ministry of Defence? Officially 1,512 - one of which is a Swaledale ram.
Defence minister Andrew Robathan has revealed the MoD employs a menagerie of animals, including some surprising mascots.
The list of "official mascots" includes:
- Two drum horses
- Three dogs
- Three mountain goats
- One Swaledale ram
- Two Shetland ponies
Additionally the department employs 13 falcons "utilised by the Royal Navy for runway clearance", 499 horses for ceremonial purposes and 992 working dogs.
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The figures were revealed in a parliamentary answer about how many animals were employed by the MoD last year asked by Labour MP Kevan Jones.
Sadly Robathan could not provide information relating to the cost of the animals.