EARLYSVILLE -- Harry the Hot Dog's month-long kidnapping ordeal is over.

Harry, a 6-foot, 200-pound hot dog statue that resides outside an Earlysville grocery store, was stolen the night of April 9.

He was returned -- albeit severely damaged -- to All Good Groceries on Tuesday evening.

Albemarle County police had discovered the cartoonish hot dog sculpture buried in a wooded area adjacent to a mobile home park off U.S. 29 north of Charlottesville.

"He was buried alive," said the store's owner, Josh Blanthorn. "Thankfully, he has been rescued."

Over the 27 days that Harry the Hot Dog was missing, the grocery store obtained a 2-foot replica. The mini-me version of Harry was dubbed "Little Frank," the elder hot dog's son.

Little Frank held a sign for weeks that asked, "Have you seen my daddy?"

Yesterday, Little Frank stood resolutely beside his battered father.

Harry's two little hot dog arms have been broken off. Gone are his bottles of ketchup and mustard. His paint is chipped. Dirt, leaves, pine needles and other debris fill his every nook and cranny.

Blanthorn pledged to rebuild his store's mascot, which is worth an estimated $2,000.

"He'll be like the bionic hot dog," he said. "He'll be bigger, stronger, faster."

Greg Jenkins of the Albemarle County Police Department said authorities have identified four suspects in the case, but have yet to make any arrests. The suspects are likely to face grand larceny and felony vandalism charges, he said.

The alleged weiner-nappers can expect a tough grilling by police.

"These people will be brought to justice for their dogged ways," Blanthorn said.

-- Media General News Service