Blind dog stolen in shocking break-in found in NSW
The man accused of dognapping a beloved blind pooch from a Gold Coast home has faced court. It comes after the dog, Bowie, was reunited with his family last week. VIDEO
Police & Courts
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The man accused of dognapping a beloved blind pooch from a Gold Coast home has faced court in NSW.
Maximiliano Ricardo Cardozo, 48, faced Port Macquarie Local Court on Saturday and again on Monday, where he was granted bail under the conditions he must reside with his sister west of Sydney.
Queensland Police allege Cardozo stole Bowie, a four-year-old vision-impaired Australian shepherd, from the Southport home of the Durman family last Wednesday in an incident which left the house in disarray with Lego stuffed down toilets, frozen prawns hidden in bedrooms and food strewn all over the floor.
The Durmans arrived home from a holiday to find the family Hyundai Tucson stolen, along with Bowie and a range of sentimental items including a wedding dress and a vial of sand celebrating a marriage proposal.
The story captured the imagination of the public and an eagle-eyed petrol station attendant spotted the Durmans’ stolen car in Yamba in northern NSW, which led to the release of CCTV footage – showing Bowie sitting calmly on the passenger seat, before Cardozo was arrested near Macksville on Friday.
NSW Police charged him with receiving property stolen outside NSW. He is expected to face more charges when he returns to Queensland.
As part of his bail conditions, Cardozo was banned from entering Queensland unless attending court. He is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court later this month on unrelated charges.
Cardozo was ordered to reappear at Port Macquarie Local Court on August 10.
Queensland Police have sought an arrest warrant for Cardozo, but must await the finalisation of the outstanding matters in NSW, before any application can be made to seek his extradition back to Queensland.
Meanwhile, Bowie is getting back to normal after his human family drove four hours from the Gold Coast for a reunion on Friday night.
There was licking, kissing, tail-wagging and the odd tear when Bowie was reunited with his family two days after the break-in.
Luke Durman and his son Leo, 10, travelled 400km to Macksville in northern NSW to be reunited with Bowie.
Following the public appeal from police and service station CCTV, a couple on a road trip near Nambucca Heads spotted the car on Friday morning and called police, who intercepted the vehicle and arrested a man a short time later.
Despite his visual impairment, Bowie came bounding out of the police station door to smother his humans with licks and kisses on Friday.
“It’s fantastic to see him again,” Mr Durman said.
“It was quite emotional with him jumping up and licking our faces.
“I shed a bit of a tear.
“He’s a good mate and it’s good to have him back.”
He also paid tribute to everyone involved in the incredible story.
“Thanks to all the media, thanks to everyone (who saw it) on Facebook, thanks to the girl from the service station and the couple driving out to the farm (who recognised the stolen car from news reports),” he said.
“We’re just thrilled he’s been found.”
Leo was also stoked to have his mate back and the pair shared some chicken nuggets on the long drive back to the Gold Coast.
“It’s the best day ever,” he said.
“I’m so happy.”
He said he wasn’t quite sure what Bowie himself had made of the whole ordeal.
“I think with all the excitement when we picked him up he is having too much fun,” he said.
During the lengthy drive to Macksville, Leo posted a video thanking everyone who helped to track down Bowie.
“We’re so glad he’s been found,” he said.
His dad added that he was thrilled at the outcome.
“Thanks to all the media, thanks to everyone (who saw it) on Facebook, thanks to the girl from the service station and the couple driving out to the farm (who recognised the stolen car from news reports),” he said.
“We’re just thrilled he’s been found.”
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