A Footscray icon of more than 30 years has bolted.
‘Chester’, the fibreglass Footscray Paint Spot horse, went missing on Friday and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Owner Chris Dobinson said staff alerted him to the disappearance on Friday and there have been no sighting since.
“We bring it in and out every day. We put it out at 6am on Friday and by 9.30am it was gone. It’s a terrible event.”
Mr Dobinson suspects a prank could have been behind the theft and says no questions will be asked if the thieves elect to return Chester unscathed.
Weighing 25kgs and standing almost two metres tall, Chester would have taken a concerted effort to horsenap.
“You would think that someone had to have seen something. If it’s just a practical joke or a group of drunks or bongheads, we just really want to see him back.
The disappearance has created a chorus of consternation on social media.
Mr Dobinson said the public outcry over the disappearance shows how iconic Chester has become.
“Everyone has grown up with it. We had known there was a really strong connection, as soon as you say the yellow shop with the white horse out the front everyone knows what you mean.”
Mr Dobinson said hopes are slim that they will be able to find the original mould for Chester, who was created as part of a 1970s Wattyl Paints marketing campaign.
“Nothing ceases to amaze me after this long in Footscray. We will push through but we’re just hopeful we will get him back.”
