Rabbit sculpture in Dedham vandalized over the weekend after previous theft attempt

Photo courtesy of the Dedham Public Art Project

By Natalie Feulner, Town Correspondent

One of the 10 fiberglass rabbit sculptures placed around Dedham by the Dedham Public Art Project this summer was vandalized over the weekend.

“Bengal Bunny,” as it’s called, was created by Dedham-based artist Sal D'Antona and resides in Paul Park, located on Cedar and Tower streets.

Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, neighbors reported hearing a car doing donuts in the area, and hours later, project organizers learned that the rabbit’s ear was missing. It was the second incident about this particular rabbit sculpture reported to the art project organizers.

Last Wednesday, the day the rabbit was placed in the park, a resident caught a group of about eight youths trying to remove the sculpture. The resident reportedly yelled, “don’t even think about it,” to the youths who then ran out of the park and drove away, Jennifer Barsamian, project co-chair, said Monday.

Barsamian said she’s not sure if last week’s event and this weekend’s vandalism are related, but she said it may have something to do with how dark the park is at night.

“It’s definitely dark in that corner and the lighting was a concern for that area,” she said. “But one would think that by a playground is pretty safe and it is a pretty residential area.”

A replacement ear costing the organization $100 is on its way to Dedham already. Once it arrives, the group will affix the new ear and D’Antona will have to paint it once more.

“We’ve already talked to the artist and thankfully he’s a local artist so he’ll be able to help though it is going to have to be repainted in the park,” Barsamian said. “But, we’re just happy it can be done.”

Anyone with information about either incident should email Dedhamshines@gmail.com.

Natalie Feulner can be reached at natalie.feulner@gmail.com.