The stolen statue of the piglet was secured in concrete between two other statues. (Photo by Ben Griffin)

TEMPLE (January 24, 2013) ---Residents are offering a reward as police in Temple search for a purloined piglet and the crook who swiped the swine from a neighborhood park.

Temple Parks and Leisure Services Director Ken Cicora said a resident called Tuesday to report the disappearance of the piglet, which is one of the "Three Pigs" statues secured in concrete in Oak Creek Park.

Cicora said it’s not clear how long the statue has been gone.

"We did file a police report and we are working to replace the statue," Cicora said.

An order was placed on Thursday for a new piglet, which will cost $850 and which should be delivered within two months.

The bronze statues were placed in the park in 2007, paid for with community donations, but the city is picking up the tab for the replacement.

"Once someone donates something it then becomes property of the city and also our responsibility to maintain and replace it if needed," Cicora said.

Residents near the park say they consider the "Three Pigs," to be neighborhood mascots and have decorated them for various holidays.

They’re offering a $50 reward for information about the missing statue.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the missing piglet statue to call the Temple Police Department at (254) 298-5500.