The original Dogs of Alcibiades stood on either side of a road into Victoria Park in 1912 until 2009. The sculptures, donated by Lady Aignarth, are copies of a 2nd Century Roman statue of a dog held at the British Museum. The dog in question originally belonged to Alcibiades, a 5th Century Athenian statesman and friend of Socrates.
Having faced severe vandalism the original sculptures were replaced by replicas in 2011 as part of a £12 million refurbishment of Victoria Parl in the run-up to the Olympics. The originals have been restored and will be sited inside the new Hub building, in the east of the park, once complete.