It's a Trap

WHEN: April 2011

WHERE: Watch Hill, Rhode Island

PHOTO: Shawn T.

This baby doll in a lobster trap maybe the creepiest sad toy ever. Totally awesome!

Land Shark!

WHERE: Oakland, Calif.

WHEN: January 2011

PHOTO: Julie M., in Oakland

It's hard to fear sharks -- even one of this size -- when it's shoved in a trash can.

No Fairy-Tale Ending

WHEN: February 2011
WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh
Found facedown around the back of a bar -- looks like the party's over for Shrek and Donkey

Fall Squash

WHEN: October 2010

WHERE: East Liberty, Pittsburgh

This is the toy equivalent of seeing a pile of squashed guts on the highway. No idea what this once was, but it's dead now.

Day-of-the-Dead Dead

WHEN: October 20101

WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh

Hard times have befallen this sexy, already-dead nurse.

Pumpkinhead

WHEN: October 2010

WHERE: South Side, Pittsburgh

These little toys look cute in cupcakes, but what sad fates befall them when the dessert is eaten and gone?

They're All Gone

WHEN: September 2010

WHERE: Brooklyn, N.Y.

PHOTO: John P. in NYC

This is unspeakable, some kind of mass dump of toys.

Angry Egg

WHEN: January 2010

WHERE: Strip District, Pittsburgh

This guy: scrambled, poached, hardboiled, fried but definitely not over-easy.

Monkey Time No. 3

WHEN: May 2010

WHERE: Venice Beach, California

PHOTO: Monica in Calif.

Face down in the gutter -- no way to be.

Monkey Time No. 2

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

WHEN: October 2009

Despite being flat and bright yellow, this monkey looks almost real, weaving its way through the jungle.

Monkey Time No. 1

WHEN: September 2010
WHERE: Brooklyn, New York City
PHOTO: Jon P. in NYC
Kicking off a mini-series of discarded monkeys is this guy. At first glance, he looks kinda happy sitting in a tree. Then I noticed he was strapped in. That's messed up, dude.

Panda on Board

WHERE: Oakland, Calif.
WHEN: April 2010
PHOTO: Meredith J. in Oakland
Who doesn't like to ride in the back of a truck? Look at that smile!

Head of Stewie

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: South Oakland, Pittsburgh
I like how he looks just as non-plussed upside-down.

Yabba Dabba Ewwww

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: East Village, New York City
PHOTO: Andy N. in NYC
This ain't no Bedrock.

South Pole Wanderer

WHEN: September 2010
WHERE: Brooklyn, New York
PHOTO: Leigh Fox, in New York City
This misguided penguin is 1. in the wrong hemisphere and 2. dressed for the wrong holiday. Plus, stuck on a fence.

Ay Chihuahua!

WHEN: April 2010
WHERE: Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
The pocket-dog fad is over, and this little amigo is out with the trash.

Have You Seen My Dinosaur?

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh
WHEN: March 2010
Sort of a toy-game double-header, as this dinosaur has been dumped on the park's chessboard table

Chick of the Sea

WHERE: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

WHEN: February 2008

PHOTO: Bethany Armstrong, Chicago

I can't help but think this is how the Little Mermaid really ended up.

The Day the Music Died

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: Regent Square, Pittsburgh
PHOTO: Jill in Pittsburgh
Looks like somebody gave up their rock-star dreams for a job in senior care. Happens every day.

Behind Baaaaaa-rs

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: Detroit, Mich.
PHOTO: Michael J., in Detroit
Oh no! Not Lambchop!