Artists irked by Sweden's neutered lion

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Heraldists at Sweden's National Archives said the Nordic Battlegroup's decision to remove the penis from a lion depicted on its coat of arms violates copyright.

State heraldist Henrik Klackenberg said he and his colleagues want an apology from the Swedish armed forces and the reinstatement of the emasculated lion's male organ, The Local reported Thursday.

"They stepped over the line when they made alterations to the badge without consulting us. It was a clear breach of copyright," Klackenberg said.

Heraldic artist Vladimir Sagerlund said the removal of the lion's private parts shows an ignorance of history, since coats of arms featuring neutered lions have traditionally been given to people accused of betraying the Swedish monarch.

Karl Engelbrektsson, commander of the Nordic Battlegroup, said he decided to remove the lion's genitalia after he determined that the depiction of the organ sends the wrong message at a time when women are being sexually abused in war zones around the world.