Bad moos: Cornellia, the life-size fiberglass mascot that was stolen and then returned in 2003, is missing again. She and her calf were stolen sometime between 6 p.m., Aug. 29, and 6 a.m., Aug. 30, from the Cornell Dairy Store foyer.

Cornellia, who with her calf is valued at $1,500, used to stand proudly on the roof of the Cornell Dairy Bar, but after she was stolen in 2003, her protectors chained her up in the foyer of the Cornell Dairy Store, along with a calf that was added to the display after Cornellia returned from her adventures. According to Cornell Police, the chains were found cut, but there was no evidence of forced entry, and nothing else was stolen.

"We believe that they were stolen as part of a prank, but we do want them back," said Vincent Nykiel '76, dairy operations general manager in the pilot plant of the Department of Food Science. "We are already discussing new and better methods of securing them when they return."

"We are discussing what type of reward to offer," said Bonnie Hart, manager of the Cornell Dairy Bar and Store. "All we really want is both of them returned safely."

Between 1995 and 2003, cow replicas atop the Dairy Bar were adorned with lights to celebrate the holiday seasons -- and to help sell a little more ice cream. The "lighting of the cow" is a Cornell tradition, accompanied by singing and free ice cream samples. In recent years the celebration has been held in the foyer and led by Susan Henry, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The first cow display placed on the Dairy Bar roof was plywood, but that display was destroyed by a fierce winter storm in late December 2000. The Dairy Bar obtained the sturdy fiberglass Cornellia for the holiday season in 2001, and the mascot also is displayed at local events.

Cornell Police is investigating the crime. Anyone with information can contact Cornell Police at 255-1111 or Hart at 255-1298 or blh2@cornell.edu.