'Pabst' pig statue stolen from outside Virginia restaurant

April 19 (UPI) -- The owners of a restaurant in Virginia are searching for a stolen pig statue that was meant to be auctioned for charity.

Lunch and Supper Southern smokehouse in Richmond shared a photo of the silver pig statue adorned with the Pabst Blue Ribbon beer logo which was stolen from the restaurant before its Big Pig Project Charity Auction.

Owner Rick Lyons said the pig was stolen from the restaurant some time at the beginning of the week.

"Our Pabst Blue Ribbon pig has gone missing," he told WRIC. "It was taken off the table sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning."

The pig was one of several concrete sculptures weighing between 40 pounds and 100 pounds each sponsored by local companies and designed local artists.

"Our sponsors and artists worked really hard to paint these sculptures that will be auctioned off for the Richmond Ronald McDonald House and the idea that someone stole this property is disheartening and really disappointing," the restaurant said.

Lyons speculated the pig would have been able to raise about $1,000 for charity at the upcoming auction.

"We figured the pig would probably go between $800 to $1000 because it is a locally favorite brand," he said.

He added that the restaurant simply wanted to have the stolen pig returned and would gladly take it back with no questions asked.

"If you took the pig from the Urban Roost, we ask that you return it to the restaurant where you found it," the restaurant said. "If you know who took the pig and want to remain anonymous please call the restaurant."