Maximilliano Ricardo Cardozo in Southport court after alleged dognapping of blind dog Bowie

The man charged after the alleged theft of beloved blind pet Bowie has faced court for the first time since his arrest near the dog’s Gold Coast home. SEE THE VIDEO

The man charged after the alleged theft of beloved blind pet Bowie from his owners’ Gold Coast home has fronted court for the first time since his bizarre arrest last month.

Maximilliano Ricardo Cardozo, 48, refused to comment on the alleged dognapping – which took the blind Australian shepherd hundreds of kilometres from his family into NSW last July – as he left the Southport courthouse on Thursday.

Bowie the blind Australian shepherd was allegedly stolen from the Durman family’s Southport home in July. Picture: supplied

He faces one charge each of entering dwelling and committing an offence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Mr Cardozo was arrested across the border in July, where he was charged with receiving stolen property and ordered to live in NSW until the case was finalised.

Maximilliano Cardozo. Picture: Facebook

The more serious charges in Queensland were to be activated when he returned to the state.

That day came sooner than expected when police learned in December that Mr Cardozo had returned to the Gold Coast, despite his NSW case remaining before the courts.

He was arrested at an address on Skiff St, Southport – near the scene of the alleged crime.

Mr Cardozo represented himself when his case was briefly mentioned for the first time in Southport Magistrates Court this week.

He is due to return to court on February 12.

His NSW charge is listed for mention on February 8. He remains on bail on all charges.

Originally published as Maximilliano Ricardo Cardozo in Southport court after alleged dognapping of blind dog Bowie