Residents of Besant Nagar woke up to an unsettling disappearance this week: the golden fibreglass dog that had become a neighborhood fixture at a popular selfie point was gone, savagely severed from its base and taken away under the cover of darkness.

Key facts

  • The theft occurred on September 11, 2026 on Besant Avenue Road
  • The statue was part of Greater Chennai Corporation's Health Walk initiative
  • The dog was painted gold and appeared to be walking alongside a fibreglass woman
  • Only the dog's lower legs remain attached to the pavement

A community landmark vanishes

For months, the golden dog had been a cheerful companion to walkers and visitors along Besant Avenue Road. Part of an artistic installation that included two human figures, the lifelike canine seemed frozen mid-stride, tethered to its owner by an invisible leash. The entire display glowed with a distinctive golden finish that made it impossible to miss.

The discovery

The theft might have gone unnoticed longer if not for the sharp eyes of nine-year-old Rudra, a member of the Thiruvanmiyur Changemakers Club. The young student passes the statue daily on her commute to Adyar Theosophical Academy and immediately noticed something was wrong.

She alerted photographer Gayatri Nair, who documented the heartbreaking scene: the woman statue standing alone, her leash dangling emptily, while only the dog's feet remained rooted to the pavement where the full statue once stood.

"This incident was brought to light by Rudra, a young Thiruvanmiyur Changemaker who studies at Adyar Theosophical Academy and crosses this statue on her daily commute. She is just nine years old," Gayatri points out.

Search for the stolen statue

Local authorities and residents are now searching for the distinctive golden dog, which appears to have been "adopted" by someone without permission. The community hopes the valuable artwork can be recovered and restored to its rightful place—on the street it was meant to call home.