The Bengal Bunny by Sal D’Antona will make its official debut on next week’s issue of Through the Lens, but when we heard this morning that it had been vandalized, The Five-Year-Old couldn’t rest until she had visited the scene and brought you the report.

We are sorry to say that it’s true. Someone really did take off one of his ears.

According to the Dedham Transcript, the vandalism occurred sometime between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 29. Efforts to locate the missing ear have been unsuccessful so far.

In the meantime, Cowpainters, the studio in Illinois that created the original fiberglass rabbit, has begun work crafting a new fiberglass ear. Still, Monica Wilkinson of Dedham Shines, the non-profit behind the Dedham Public Art Project, says that the process of repairing the ear will be both lengthy and expensive.

We’ll keep you posted on developments as they occur. When the Bengal Bunny gets his ear back, you’ll hear it here first second pretty soon after.

Want to help?

Dedham Shines is collecting donations to help defray the cost of the repairs. If you would like to donate, you can:

• Make checks payable to “Dedham Shines” (write “DPAP” on the memo line, please) and mail to Dedham Shines, PO Box 1023, Dedham MA 02027
• Visit the Dedham Shines booth at the Dedham Farmers Market on Wednesday, Aug 1 to donate to the Rabbit Recovery Fund in person
• Make an online donation here.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Related Links:

• Dedham rabbit vandalized; Bengal Bunny’s ear taken (Dedham Transcript)
• Through the Lens of The Five-Year-Old: The Dedham Public Art Project (Caterpickles)