Promotional ceramic dogs in Pontiac vandalized

Published: 11 Jun 2009 03:46:47

“They had to go to the doggy hospital to get fixed,” said Lori Fairfield, executive director of Pontiac Redeveloping Our United Downtown.beSBestCeramic
beSBestCeramic
At least three of the 12 life-sized dogs were returned to their makers for repair. Someone tried to remove one dog decorated with several wrist watches. Condiments were taken from another, dressed as a hot dog. A toy ball with a voice recorder (“Do not touch,” it said, when touched) was taken from “Old Yeller.”beSBestCeramic
beSBestCeramic
“You always hope that people will behave appropriately,” said local artist joanE Lipinski. Two of her three creations were vandalized.beSBestCeramic
beSBestCeramic
Already damaged and repaired is a dog that sports orange hair. A fake corndog was taken from the mouth of another dog, named Corndog, who is painted with scenes of the sky and a cornfield.beSBestCeramic
beSBestCeramic
Fairfield said PROUD wants to find another way to display the dogs, which promote Pontiac Summer Bash, a combination of events and festivals June 25-28. The Walldogs Festival draws 160 artists to paint downtown murals.beSBestCeramic
beSBestCeramic
The dogs were secured to sidewalks, benches and tables. They eventually will be auctioned with proceeds helping pay for the festival.