Owner of viral dog Arnie faces more charges over pet's death
A man who launched a viral campaign to find a stolen ute and his dog, and was later charged over his pet’s death, has been slapped with more offences.
A man who launched a viral campaign to find a stolen ute and his dog, and was later charged over his pet’s death, has been slapped with more offences.
Nathan McKeown – the owner of Arnie the german shepherd who went viral after desperate pleas asking to help find him – was charged over the death of the dog in November after he allegedly drove into Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley on November 7 and left him there.
But on Thursday police revealed the original charge was amended to one count of injuring animals (causing injury or death) by night under the Criminal Code.
He was further charged with an additional three counts of driving motor vehicle without a driver licence demerit points, and one count each of did drive under the influence (UIL) and serious obstruct police.
He is expected to front a Brisbane Court this month.
It is alleged McKeown drove to the Valley under the influence and forgot where he parked.
On the same night, it is understood McKeown may have visited a brothel in Woolloongabba, about an hour walk from where the car had been parked.
Police allege the next morning he advised his partner that it had been stolen from Wynnum and she reported it to police.
Investigators allege that the woman was not aware that the vehicle had not in fact been stolen.
Arnie was later found dead on November 17 after a member of the public found the car parked.
When the news first broke that the dog died McKeown said the family “was beyond devastated.
“Unfortunately there isn’t a better outcome and Arnie was found yesterday deceased, still in the back of the ute that was stolen. He didn’t deserve to go like this! We had the best life with him and he is going to be so missed,” he wrote.
Originally published as Owner of viral dog Arnie faces more charges over pet's death
