Stolen lion statues recovered and returned to Calgary family
A pair of treasured, decorative lion statues stolen from in front of a Calgary home earlier this month are headed back where they belong after being discovered next to a dumpster.
Calgary police were notified about the two, metre-tall lions, weighing about 100 pounds each, on Thursday, and they were being returned to rightful owner Rebecca Pham.
"I started crying immediately, my mom and I were bawling," she said.
"The police called me and said, 'We think we found your lions' and they sent me a picture and it was my lions."
Pham said the lions were noticed about a week ago by someone living at the condo building, who at first didn't think much about them.
"They didn't put two-and-two together then they were talking with a friend and told them about the lions and the friend said, 'Hey, those were on the news.'"
The statues have adorned Pham's family homes in Ontario and now Alberta for nearly 30 years.
He dad acquired them in 1984, before Pham was born, and they were the only things salvaged after the family's home was destroyed in a fire that claimed the life of her older brother — who was 13 at the time — following the Ontario ice storms in 1998.
Rather than be put back where they were, Pham said she is going to move the lions to the back yard.
"There's a little bit of damage, some scuff marks and some paint missing, but nothing that can't be fixed," she said.
"Those lions are sturdy and strong. I feel so relieved, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.