Missing: 9-Foot Tall Dinosaur Stolen From Bartlesville Pet Store

A familiar Bartlesville mascot is missing. He has a description like few others - a 9-foot tall Tyrannosaurus statue that has resided outside Classic Pets for almost a decade.

Owner Kathy Keim has operated the pet store in its current location at 119 SE Washington Boulevard since 2000. They've had the dinosaur outside the store for about 9 years, tied down with cables. 

Kathy said he's well known in the community, especially among local kids.

"He's kind of a big deal, for the kids," she said Monday evening after posting pictures of the missing dinosaur on Facebook.

"Kids stop just to see him. I'd see people come take their picture with him even when we're not open," she said.

The statue isn't heavy; she believes he's made of fiberglass. But he's so big someone had to have planned the theft in advance.

"He wouldn't fit in a pickup," she said. "They had to have a trailer and bolt cutters."

The dinosaur was in his usual spot Saturday then was missing by Sunday, January 25, she said.

Classic Pets Facebook Page

Keim is keeping her sense of humor about the theft though she very much wants the dinosaur returned. Her description on the Lost and Found Bartlesville Pets reads:

"No collar; no chip. Was naked at the time. Quite large - 8 and 1/2 to 9 feet tall. Much loved and missed, pleased help us find him!"

The "naked" line in the description is because the dinosaur is often dressed. He has a wedding gown for the spring, swimsuits and shorts in the summer and a gown and mortar board for graduation time.

"He has all kinds of clothes just to celebrate whatever was happening," she said. "He's got more clothes than me probably."

If you spot the dinosaur or know anything about the theft, call Classic Pets at 918-333-7944 or Bartlesville Police at 918-338-4001.

"Someone could easily spot him," Keim said. "He's not going to be easy to hide.

"They can't just dress him in camo - he'll stick out."