While the whereabouts of A Shared Blanket’s missing taxidermic sheep remain unknown, a new stuffed animal is standing guard outside the art gallery on Main Avenue.
Last week, after reading about the second theft of the wood-framed sheep, Al Harper, owner of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, brought his neighbor a taxidermic black bear.
“I felt really bad, so I loaned her (store owner Donna Frank) one of my black bears until her sheep comes home,” Harper said.
On June 28, Frank said two men stole the sheep that usually sits perched outside the art gallery at 104 E. Fifth St., in what she said felt like a “dare.”
It was the second recent theft of the decorative object. A month earlier, the sheep was stolen and found the next day in the possession of two minors.
Durango Police were unable to prove the juveniles stole the sheep.
Lt. Ray Shupe did not return calls for comment about the thefts.
For now, however, Frank said the loaner black bear will keep the sheep’s place warm until it reappears.
“I’m calling it ‘Little Al.’” Frank said.
Frank said the taxidermic bear is tied up to prevent copycat crimes.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
