Local Anectdotal Story:
Local artists were invited to decorate the bears, some standing, sitting, etc. Eighty bears were submitted. the bears became the property of the City of Belfast. One artist's artwork included an anatomically correct feature not mentioned in his proposal. Tourists had great fun with photo ops, the national press arrived. The Mayor of Belfast decided the artwork needed modification and carried out his decision with a chain saw. the artist was outraged and suggested the mayor should be prosecuted for defacing public property! Suit pending!