Sculpture of Istanbul's world-famous cat Tombili stolen

By Metin Tokgoz

ISTANBUL (AA) – The sculpture of Istanbul’s most famous portly cat “Tombili” has been stolen from a sidewalk it once reigned supreme in, just a month after it was erected in the Kadikoy neighborhood of the port city.

Ilyas Cetinkaya, a butcher in the neighborhood who used to feed the cat and is also credited with giving the cat its popular name, said Tuesday he last saw the sculpture on Monday night.

"When I came in the morning, I saw that the sculpture was stolen. I informed the municipality officials. I want the ones who stole it to be found," Cetinkaya said.

Pictures of Tombili with its back leaning against the curb and its left leg resting on the sidewalk almost like a man satisfied after a hearty meal had gone viral over the Internet. He was much loved and fed by all who frequented the Kadikoy neighborhood where the cat spent most of its nine lives.

Tombili was endeared so much that when it passed away in August, Turkish citizens launched an online campaign, demanding the Kadikoy Muncipality to erect a sculpture in its honor.

Once the municipality accepted the request, Turkish sculptor Seval Sahin, voluntarily made a bronze sculpture of Tombili in its famous pose, which was inaugurated on World Animal Day on Oct. 4. Authorities continue to hunt for the missing sculpture.