'Bird with boobs' statue in Massachusetts creates controversy once again

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WJAR) — The statue called 'Seagull Cinderella' once again sits along Route 18 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, standing loud and proud for cars and pedestrians that go by.

The artist Donna Dodson first loaned the sculpture to the city back in 2016, and she meant for the seagull shaped figure to represent female empowerment while also playing into the city's rich history on the water.

It's just a simple idea of what animal or bird would Cinderella be and you know again, thinking of this common seagull, so, it's basically just a seagull head on a woman's body," Dodson told WJAR.

She displayed her work for a while in New Bedford before moving it back to her hometown of Maynard where she said residents loved the piece.

"A lot of people say it makes them smile, makes them laugh," Dodson added.

But some New Bedford residents don't find the sculpture funny.

For the second time, a petition has circulated online to have it removed because residents believe it's too risqué even though more clothes were added this time around.

"This year she has the full daisy bikini, the full skirt," said Dodson.

Donna said the city has her back and asked her to keep the statue up for the time being.

She hopes that those passing by will think of the sculpture's true meaning next time around, which is one of empowerment and philanthropy.

"We made a donation to an organization in our art community that that serves women who are experiencing breast cancer and so it really went full circle," said Donna.