Ottawa's East India Company Restaurant says it's "truly disgusting and harmful" that someone stole a religious statue from India that stood outside their downtown restaurant for nearly 15 years.

The 300- to 400-pound, seven-foot-tall brass statue of the Hindu deity Ganesh was stolen from the Somerset Street West location sometime overnight Wednesday.

It likely took several people to cut it from its foundation and move it, according to the Mehra family, who own the restaurant.

Ottawa police are now investigating.

Bought in India

Anish Mehra said his father, who died last year, bought the statue in India and brought it back to Canada. When it was purchased it cost about $5,000 to $7,000, Mehra said.

But it also has tremendous sentimental value for the family, he added.

"It is important in Hindu tradition that Ganeshji be the first thing a guest entering someone's home should see. We believe strongly in this, as these restaurants are our home and our guests and staff are our family," the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

The restaurant called it a "truly disgusting and harmful act" and asked anyone with information to contact Ottawa police.

"To the individuals who stole the statue: you have demonstrated a total lack of respect, tolerance and appreciation for others' beliefs and views," the post said.

"These are qualities we not only pride ourselves on as Canadians, but as a species. We only feel bad for you."

The restaurant said it doesn't know why the statue was taken.