A golden fibreglass dog statue that had become a well-known attraction at a selfie point along Besant Avenue Road in Chennai has disappeared, according to local reports. The sculpture, coated in a shimmering gold paint finish, was installed as part of the Greater Chennai Corporation's Health Walk initiative, which has been promoting pedestrian-friendly routes along the city's coastal stretches over the past few years.
The statue stood near the beachside promenade in Besant Nagar — an area popular with residents for morning walks, evening strolls, and photography. Its conspicuous metallic sheen made it an unmistakable fixture that drew visitors eager to capture selfies against the seaside backdrop. However, when locals arrived at the site recently, they found only an empty plinth where the dog had previously posed for thousands of photographs.
Residents expressed shock and frustration at the disappearance. Some speculated that the theft might have been motivated by the value of the fibreglass material or the gold paint, while others suggested the bright appearance may have made the statue an easy target for opportunistic vandals. The Greater Chennai Corporation has yet to release an official statement confirming details about the incident or announcing any investigative action.
Besant Nagar's beach road selfie points have gained popularity in recent years as Chennai municipal authorities have invested in beautification projects along the coastline. Multiple decorative sculptures and photo spots were set up to encourage foot traffic and support local tourism. Civic officials have faced criticism in the past for inadequate protection of such installations, with several art pieces and infrastructure in other parts of the city reported damaged or stolen over the years.
Locals are now urging the corporation to restore the golden dog and strengthen security around remaining statues along the health walk corridor, warning that the removal of such landmarks could dampen enthusiasm for the city's pedestrian and tourism initiatives.
