Toronto police investigate destruction of U.S.-themed World Cup beaver statue
Toronto beaver statue vandalism sparks police probe and outrage in downtown Toronto See why the World Cup art display attack is drawing backlash from artists and organizers
Toronto police are investigating after a U.S.themed beaver sculpture created for a World Cup public art display was destroyed over the weekend in downtown Toronto.
The statue was one of 51 beaver figures placed near landmarks such as the St. Lawrence Market and the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of a local business district event welcoming visitors ahead of the tournament. The damaged sculpture featured American imagery, including flags, a jersey, and symbols representing the United States.
Photos shared on social media showed the beaver broken into pieces. The Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area said the damage was reported to police, and organizers said a few other installations in the display have also been vandalized. The artist who designed the piece said she has received threatening messages since the incident.
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra criticized the vandalism online, saying the act harmed the artist, the Toronto community, and the charity the project was meant to support. The scavenger hunt and art display are scheduled to continue until Aug. 16.