‘MINDLESS’ vandals have attacked another hare sculpture in Cirencester.

Pebbles the River Hare, who is situated on Abbey Way, had one of his ears broken off in the attack.

This is the second time Pebbles has fallen victim to vandalism, after he and several other hares from the 2016 trail were targeted.

Mike Smith, the artist who painted Pebbles, discovered the damage on Sunday but it is not clear when the damage was caused.

Mike said: “It must have taken a great deal of force to remove it as they are substantially made.

“It is very distressing that there is so much mindless vandalism in Cirencester these days, it doesn’t reflect well on the town.

“This is not the first hare to have its ears smashed off and some of the hares have been damaged in other ways too.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(Mike Smith pictured with Pebbles before the attack)

In 2016, Cirencester residents and hare artists were left dismayed when several hares were attacked, which prompted Cirencester Town Council to remove some, including Pebbles, for safe-keeping.

The hare on City Bank, which was painted by Charmaine Williamson, had an ear chopped off. Several other hares further along the River Churn had also been damaged.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

At the time, artist Dave Wells repaired the damage to his hair and said: “I noticed damage on all but two of the hares, the first one in Watermoor Road and the last one in Cecily Hill.

“It looked like someone had used a hammer to inflict dents and cracks.”