Naked gargoyle statue causing stir in Arizona town

PHOENIX — An Arizona town with a population that would mostly fit inside Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre is suddenly gaining some attention.

A 9-foot gargoyle statue in Paulden, Ariz., has sparked negative reaction in the Yavapai County town, where it stands — in all its anatomically correct male glory — in the yard of artist David Smith.

Complaints of indecency from the population of almost 6,000 have made their way to local government, which has told Smith he will be fined if the statue isn’t covered up or least taken out of the public eye.

Smith has appealed.