Owner Charged After Beloved Dog Arnie Found Dead in Ute Amidst Allegations of Faked Theft

A community-wide search for a missing German Shepherd named Arnie ended in tragedy when the dog was found deceased inside a Toyota HiLux. The vehicle, initially reported stolen with Arnie inside, was discovered abandoned. In a surprising turn of events, the dog's owner has now been charged, with police alleging the ute was never stolen.

Key Takeaways

• Arnie, a German Shepherd, was found dead in a Toyota HiLux.
• The vehicle was initially reported stolen with the dog inside.
• The owner, Nathan McKeown, has been charged with breaching his duty of care to an animal.
• Police allege the ute was not stolen but was deliberately left in Fortitude Valley.

The Search For Arnie

A week-long search for Arnie captured the attention of Queenslanders after he was reported missing. The German Shepherd was last seen inside his owner's black Toyota HiLux when it was allegedly stolen from the Wynnum area on November 8. The owner, 43-year-old Nathan McKeown, made public appeals for information, with the case gaining significant traction on social media and through news outlets.

A Devastating Discovery

On November 17, a member of the public located the stolen HiLux parked on Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley. Tragically, Arnie was found deceased inside the vehicle. Police investigators expressed their devastation at the outcome, having held onto hope of reuniting Arnie with his family. The family also shared their profound grief online, thanking the public for their support but lamenting the heartbreaking end to their search.

A Bizarre Twist: Owner Charged

In a significant development, police have since alleged that the Toyota HiLux was never stolen. Detectives from the Bayside Criminal Investigation Branch will reportedly argue in court that Mr. McKeown drove the vehicle to Amelia Street around 10:30 pm on November 7 and left it there on foot, with Arnie still inside. The following morning, he allegedly told his partner the car had been stolen from a Wynnum address, and she subsequently reported it to the police. Investigators believe the partner was unaware the vehicle had not been stolen.

Legal Proceedings

Nathan McKeown has been charged with one count of breaching a duty of care of an animal by failing to provide, under the Animal Protection Act. The matter is expected to be heard in a Brisbane court next month. A Queensland Police spokesperson emphasised that the QPS takes animal care seriously and that any reports of a breach of duty of care will be thoroughly investigated.

Community Response And Initiatives

Arnie's tragic death has spurred community action. Neighbourhood Watchers (NCW) has launched a new information-sharing platform named A.R.N.I.E (Animal Registry Neighbourhood Intelligence Exchange) in his honour. This platform aims to help share information about missing animals involved in crimes, hoping to prevent similar outcomes. Additionally, a change.org petition has garnered tens of thousands of signatures, calling for specific criminal offences to be introduced for causing the death of a pet during the commission of another crime, highlighting a perceived gap in current Queensland laws.

Sources

• Family dog Arnie found dead in stolen HiLux after week-long search, News.com.au.
• Owner of beloved German shepherd found dead charged as police say family's ute was not
  stolen, 9News.com.au.
• Owner charged after Arnie the german shepherd found dead in ute in Brisbane, News.com.au.
• Dog Arnie’s death inspires new information-sharing platform, News.com.au.