Velociraptor model stolen from The Toy Factory in New Glasgow, P.E.I.

A life-size model of a velociraptor was stolen from outside of a New Glasgow, P.E.I. toy store early Saturday morning.

The Toy Factory owner Dan Viau says the velociraptor was only installed a few days ago and was a huge hit. People were stopping by the store to look at it and take photos.

"Everybody loved him," said Viau.

The velociraptor was so new that The Toy Factory hadn't even paid the $1,000 bill for the five foot tall and seven foot long model.

Viau says the theft happened sometime between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.

He says the store makes an effort to have things on hand so that children can amuse themselves, such as swing sets, a teeter totter and up until today, the velociraptor.

"We try do to this to make it special for the children and it's just so disheartening to have something like that happen here in Prince Edward Island. I think it's very sad," he said.

Damaged beyond repair

The velociraptor had been attached to the ground via a concrete foundation. Viau says even if the dinosaur is recovered, it will be useless because the legs are damaged beyond repair.

Viau believes the dinosaur is somewhere on the Island because he contacted the Confederation Bridge and officials there said they did not see a dinosaur on any vehicle or any trucks with tarps on them leaving the Island this morning.

Viau has a hard time believing somebody would do something like this.

"I think whoever took this should be ashamed of themselves," he said.