Overview
- Nathan Paul McKeown, 43, pleaded guilty to killing or wounding an animal, obstructing police, driving under the influence and driving unlicensed.
- He was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service, disqualified from driving for eight months and had no conviction recorded.
- A University of Queensland post-mortem found Arnie, a seven-year-old German shepherd, died from dehydration and heat stress likely 24–48 hours after confinement.
- McKeown falsely reported his ute and dog stolen from Wynnum, enlisted a friend to support the lie, and appeared in national media appeals while police and the public mounted an extensive search.
- Magistrate Deborah Vasta condemned the escalating 'snowball' of lies, and the court heard McKeown faced death threats, his family went into hiding, he lost his job and he entered rehabilitation in late December.