Beloved SLO County fox to get bronze statue after nearly a decade

The memorial for 'Foxy' the gray fox will be installed in Arroyo Grande's Centennial Park after years of community efforts.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Nearly a decade after a playful gray fox known as 'Foxy' was euthanized in Arroyo Grande, the beloved animal is set to be immortalized with a bronze statue in Centennial Park. The Arroyo Grande City Council approved the installation of the 13-inch sculpture by wildlife artist Michael Tatom, which will serve as a permanent memorial to the fox that captured the community's hearts before its death in 2017.

Why it matters

Foxy's death sparked outrage in the community, with many questioning why the animal was not relocated instead of euthanized. The statue represents the community's efforts to keep Foxy's memory alive through various tributes over the years, and serves as a symbol of the importance of coexisting with local wildlife.

The details

After a complaint that Foxy had killed a resident's chickens, the fox was trapped and euthanized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services in November 2017. Outrage quickly spread, with residents questioning why the animal was not relocated. Over the years, the community has kept Foxy's memory alive through ribbons, hand-painted rocks, a candlelight vigil, and ongoing fundraising efforts. The bronze statue, which will cost around $6,500, was approved by the City Council despite some concerns about its vulnerability to theft and potential damage to a nearby tree.

  • Foxy was euthanized in November 2017.
  • The Arroyo Grande City Council approved the statue installation on Tuesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Foxy

A playful gray fox that roamed Arroyo Grande and captured the community's hearts before being euthanized in 2017.

Michael Tatom

A wildlife artist who will create the bronze statue of Foxy.

Vivian Krug Cotton

A volunteer who spoke to The Tribune about the Foxy memorial, stating it would serve as a 'symbol of our community spirit, our pride, the love of our city, of the wildlife all around us.'

Arroyo Grande in Bloom

A local group that has worked to keep Foxy's memory alive over the years.

Arroyo Grande Public Art

A local group that has worked to keep Foxy's memory alive over the years.

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What they’re saying

“The Foxy bronze would be to remember Foxy as a symbol of our community spirit, our pride, the love of our city, of the wildlife all around us. A reminder that our citizens can work together to educate each other, our children, everyone, on the importance of our wildlife, our ecosystem and how we can live with our wildlife in harmony.”

— Vivian Krug Cotton, Volunteer (The Tribune)

What’s next

The timeline for when the statue will be installed has not been discussed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the community's deep connection to local wildlife and the importance of finding humane solutions when conflicts arise, rather than resorting to euthanasia. The Foxy memorial serves as a testament to the power of grassroots efforts to preserve the memory of beloved animals and educate the public on coexisting with nature.