20 Dogs to be Removed from Mural

Update: New business owner  says in the comment section of this article that she is working with artist Anna Hamilton to have some of the paintings moved to other businesses in Dunedin. Anna asks that any owners with questions about their pet's portrait contact Muralsformutts@gmail.com.

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Murals for Mutts, Inc., broke the news to its Facebook fans late Friday.

Some of the beloved animal portaits featured in a downtown mural may be lost.

New business owners reportedly told Murals for Mutts that renovation plans at may affect about 20 portraits.

"The animals on the bottom of the wall will remain," Murals for Mutts told its Facebook followers.

, run by managing director Dawn Carney and artist Anna Hamilton, is a group that raises money for nonprofits through public artwork.

The , which is also on the outside wall at , raised money for Dunedin Doggie Rescue. Pet owners paid between $50 to $100, depending on size, for each animal to be painted into the mural. The project began about three years ago.

"As we all know nothing in public art is permanent. Although we expected more time (as promised by previous owners) but this is beyond our control," Murals for Mutts said.

More than 100 pets are painted at the Stirling Tropical Wines mural. 

"We are sorry to be losing any of the animal portraits and know how special they are. We are grateful that the new owner was willing to compromise enough to save some from being painted over," Murals for Mutts wrote.

A professional photographer took photos of the animals and will provide a digital copy to owners should their pet get covered. Owners may contact the group at muralsformutts@gmail.com. The group is posting photos of some of the affected animal portraints on its Facebook page.

This is a developing story. Please stay with Dunedin Patch for updates.

[Last updated Sunday, July 15, 2012 2:05 p.m.]