Stolli the dog statue stolen from memorial and found in pieces

By Matthew Nash • August 9, 2017 1:30 am
Alabama and her dad Kevin Cassidy sit on a bench with their dog Remington last October that memorializes family dog Stolli, who died on Aug. 31, 2016. The statue to the left was reported stolen Aug. 3 and recovered later in the day broken. Community members look to fund a replacement for the Cassidy family. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Alabama and her dad Kevin Cassidy sit on a bench with their dog Remington last October that memorializes family dog Stolli, who died on Aug. 31, 2016. The statue to the left was reported stolen Aug. 3 and recovered later in the day broken. Community members look to fund a replacement for the Cassidy family. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash

A popular icon once again left the corner of Hendrickson Road and Priest Road.

The Cassidy Family, owners of A2Z Fencing at 1162 W. Hendrickson Road, reported to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office that a statue memorializing their dog Stolli was taken sometime between Aug. 2-3, either Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Teresa Cassidy said they were on vacation and returned to see the statue was there on Wednesday morning but found it was missing the next morning.

Stolli, a 12 1/2-year old dog who died on Aug. 31 last year, was well known by Olympic Discovery Trail users — often lying across the trail regardless of foot and bicycle traffic.

The Cassidy family adopted Stolli in May 2004 when she was 8 weeks old. Teresa Cassidy said Stolli was diagnosed with arthritis and the beginnings of kidney failure about six years ago. Stolli spent many days lying in the sun in front of the Cassidys’ home and business at Hendrickson Road and Priest Road, awaiting her friends.

Support was so strong for the dog that after her death community members placed flowers, cards, dog toys and more near her favorite spot.

The Cassidy family put a bench with a plaque and a dog statue to remember Stolli out on Oct. 7 last year.

The Cassidys also posted online about the theft on Thursday, Aug. 3. That posting led to a meeting between Stolli’s owner Kevin Cassidy and Adam Lux, a man later identified by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office as a person of interest.

However, officials with Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday, Aug. 7, that Lux is likely a fake name.

Kevin Cassidy said he met with the friend and Lux at about 2 p.m. on Aug. 3 at a gas station on Taylor Cutoff Road.

Clallam County Sheriff Deputy Mark Leiter reports that Lux gave Cassidy the statue in a cardboard box, and when Cassidy returned home it was discovered in pieces.

Lux told Cassidy earlier he found the box while riding his bicycle, Leiter reports.

Cassidy said the statue cost $500 and community members have reached out to him to replace it.

Jen Frame, co-moderator of the “Sequim, WA” Facebook community page, said she is organizing an effort to replace the statue with donations accepted at any First Federal branch in Sequim or Port Angeles under “Stolli Statue Fund.”

Frame said she will purchase the statue through the same company as the first statue and she and others will look into ways to secure it in place.

Any money raised over the needed amount will be saved for future community needs, Frame said.

Update on Aug. 10:

Frame said the community has raised more than $900 to replace the Stolli statute. However, she said the statue is on backorder until December at multiple places so they are looking into local word carvers for possible assistance.

Contact Frame at chickofgrace@yahoo.com.

Leiter seeks any information on how to contact Lux, a person of interest, by calling the Sheriff’s Office’s Dispatch at 360-417-2459 or by leavning an anonymous tip at https://websrv7.clallam.net/cnmaster-c/nwformeml.php.

A statue for Stolli the dog was stolen and broken sometime between Aug. 2-3. Stolli was known for resting and greeting people along the Discovery Trail before her death Aug. 31, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Cassidy Family

A statue for Stolli the dog was stolen and broken sometime between Aug. 2-3. Stolli was known for resting and greeting people along the Discovery Trail before her death Aug. 31, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Cassidy Family

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies continue to investigate a theft of an estimated $500 dog statue from Sequim that memorialized a popular dog, Stolli, who greeted locals as they traveled by the corner of Hendrickson Road and Priest Road. Photo courtesy of the Cassidy Family

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies continue to investigate a theft of an estimated $500 dog statue from Sequim that memorialized a popular dog, Stolli, who greeted locals as they traveled by the corner of Hendrickson Road and Priest Road. Photo courtesy of the Cassidy Family