Arnie the dog’s owner charged over his death in shocking twist
Police are investigating reports claiming the owner of Arnie the german shepherd visited a brothel four kilometres away on the same night he’d left the dog in the back of a ute after forgetting where he’d parked.
Police are looking into reports a man who has been charged over his dog’s death may have visited a brothel on the night the german shepherd went missing.
Nathan McKeown – the owner of Arnie the german shepherd who went viral after desperate pleas from the owner asking to help find him – has been charged over the death of the dog in a shock twist, after he allegedly drove into Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley about 10.30pm on November 7, got drunk and forgot where he parked.
On the same night, it is now understood McKeown may have visited a brothel in Woolloongabba, about an hour walk from where the car had been parked.
A report has been lodged to police and they are working to substantiate it.
It comes as footage of the devastating moment police discovered Arnie’s body in McKeown’s ute has been released.
CCTV given to Nine News shows the moment Arnie was pulled from the back of the ute, 10 days after his owner allegedly left him in his car.
Police and several people can be seen behind the car as Arnie is taken from the ute. Other footage shows the moment the ute arrived into the Valley.
Investigators allege that the woman was not aware that the vehicle had not in fact been stolen.
On Monday, November 17 a member of the public found the car parked on Amelia Street at Fortitude Valley and Arnie was found dead in the car.
“Following extensive investigations, yesterday evening the 43-year-old male owner was charged with one count of breach of duty of care of animal by failing to provide under the Animal Protection Act,” a police statement said.
Seven haunting questions we need to know about Arnie’s death.
“The matter is expected to appear before a Brisbane Court next month. Investigations remain ongoing.
“Media and the public are thanked for their extensive assistance throughout the investigation.
In the days after the dog was reported missing, McKeown spoke to The Courier-Mail saying he really wanted his dog back.
“It’s been two days now. I don’t know if he’s been let out somewhere, if he’s locked inside, if he’s hurt,” McKeown said.
“I’ve been out since 2.30 this morning just driving. I’ve been through Wynnum, Manly, the city, even the Valley. I just want my dog back.”
“At this point I don’t even care about the ute, just bring my dog back.”
Following news of the arrest, Rochedale South Neighbourhood Crime Watchers founder Damion Douglass confirmed he had contacted McKeown on the day the post was made for an appeal to find Arnie.
“We went with it, based on the report to police which is part of our verification process,” he said.
Mr Douglass said he pulled resources, and had hundreds of volunteers out searching for Arnie. and was in the process of organising McKeown a new car.
“People were invested in this to the point where they were investing their own money, they made a petition for Arnies law, we have community leaders they were signing, they were getting behind it,” he said.
“That day Arnie was found, hearing him cry and how he was going to tell his daughter. I am very disappointed.
“We have apologised to everyone, we pulled a lot of favours, we launched the website early, we ditched everything we were doing to find this dog, it was for nothing.
“It’s heartbreaking what that dog went through.”
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.
The Arnie page has since been taken down.
Originally published as Arnie the dog’s owner charged over his death in shocking twist
