Stolen hot dog statue returned to WVa restaurant owner

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The owner of a West Virginia restaurant that was heavily damaged by fire has his coveted hot dog statue back. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office says the short statue was stolen from the Dairy Winkle in Campbells Creek during a break-in sometime after the Jan. 11 fire. A tip led deputies to a location where the statue was found undamaged. It was returned to restaurant owner Kerry Ellison. Investigators have not identified a suspect and are seeking information about the theft. The statue depicts a hot dog licking its lips and holding a bottle of mustard while pouring a bottle of ketchup on its head. Ellison hopes to reopen the restaurant later this year.