HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for vandals who have attacked three of the colorful fiberglass oxen that are part of the local arts council's "Stampede" to raise awareness and funds for arts in Hopewell Valley.

On Aug. 7, an unknown perpetrator poured orange paint over the ox that was installed in front of Pennington Quality Market at Route 31 and West Delaware Avenue, township police said in a release today. This ox was sculpted by Gyuri Hollosy, a local artist who works with Grounds for Sculpture.

Then, on Aug. 12, an ox was stolen from its location on Elm Ridge Road and later returned with one foot broken off, police said. The damage to the ox was estimated at $500.

Finally, overnight Sunday the ox being displayed near the intersection of Denow and Van Brunt roads was knocked over, police said.

There are 68 fiberglass oxen around the township and two boroughs as part of the Hopewell Valley Art Council’s program. The oxen are stationed along roads and at farmstands, parks, farms and commercial plazas.

Anyone with information on the vandalism of the oxen is asked to call the police at (609) 737-3100.

Brendan McGrath may be reached at bmcgrath@njtimes.com. Follow him on Twitter @brendanrmcgrath. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.