Overview
- Queensland Police amended the original Animal Protection Act count to injuring animals (causing injury or death) by night under the Criminal Code.
- Officers also filed three counts of unlicensed driving due to demerit points, one count of driving under the influence, and one count of serious obstruction of police.
- Detectives allege Nathan McKeown left his Hilux on Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley about 10:30pm on November 7 with Arnie inside, then told his partner the next morning it had been stolen.
- The ute was found on November 17 by a member of the public with the German shepherd deceased inside, and police say the partner reported the theft believing it was genuine.
- The investigation remains active, with McKeown due in a Brisbane magistrates' court later this month, with one report listing a December 18 hearing in Cleveland and potential penalties of up to seven years’ jail if convicted.