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A man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after his dog was found dead in the back of his abandoned ute, a case initially reported as a vehicle theft that captured public attention. Nathan McKeown, 43, admitted to breaching his duty of care to an animal and other offenses related to the tragic discovery.
Dog’s Death Follows Night at Brothel, Police Allege
Investigators say McKeown left his German shepherd, Arnie, unattended in his vehicle while visiting an inner-city establishment.
- McKeown pleaded guilty to injuring an animal,driving under the influence,and obstructing police,among other charges.
- Arnie’s body was discovered on December 17, ten days after McKeown reported his ute stolen.
- Police allege McKeown was at a brothel on the night Arnie was left in the vehicle.
McKeown appeared in brisbane magistrates Court on Thursday, where he entered guilty pleas to several charges, including causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance, and obstructing police. His wife, Louise, was not present during the proceedings on Thursday.
According to police allegations, mckeown drove his ute into Fortitude Valley at approximately 10:30 p.m. on November 7, parking on Amelia Street. He allegedly left Arnie locked inside the vehicle, intoxicated, and subsequently forgot where he had parked.
Nathan McKeown is seen leaving a Brisbane court after facing charges over his dog’s death.
On November 8, McKeown reportedly told his wife the ute had been stolen, and she filed a police report. The alleged theft sparked a public outpouring of support, with many australians rallying to help find Arnie.
The couple launched a social media campaign and offered a $6,000 reward for the dog’s safe return. Though, Arnie’s body was discovered ten days later, on December 17, after a member of the public spotted the abandoned ute in Fortitude Valley.
Detectives investigating the case began looking into claims that McKeown had visited a brothel on the night Arnie was left in the vehicle. A manager at the establishment told investigators that a worker recognized McKeown as a customer from November 7 after seeing him on television during his public appeals for Arnie’s return.
“He came in and booked a lady and stayed with that lady,” the manager stated. “We found it difficult to remove him and all he could talk about was that he had lost his car, but there was no talk of his dog [being inside it].”
The manager said McKeown left on his own and was later seen on CCTV returning to the brothel between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., but did not re-enter. CCTV footage allegedly shows McKeown at the premises between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. that evening. The brothel management reported the encounter to police when news of McKeown’s arrest broke in November.
McKeown and his wife launched a social media campaign and offered a $6,000 reward for the dog’s safe return.
