Dog owner charged after allegedly falsely claiming Rottweiler euthanised following teenage attack in Newcastle West

A dog owner who claimed his rottweiler was bashed by a group of teens has been charged after police discovered the story was made up.

Police allege the 42-year-old man falsely reported that his nine-year-old dog, Sasha, was attacked while tied to a tree outside Marketown shopping centre on Steel St in Newcastle West last Friday.

It was initially claimed Sasha had to be euthanised due to the severity of her injuries.

However, following an extensive review of CCTV and further inquiries, police allege Sasha was never in the area that day.

Investigators also determined Sasha was euthanised due to long-term chronic hip and osteoarthritic pain — not because of any assault.

Police visited the man’s Charlestown home on Friday, where he was issued a court attendance notice for false representation resulting in a police investigation.

He is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on November 27.

Story that deceives community

Police launched an investigation into Sasha’s death about 2pm on Sunday after receiving the man’s report and called for witnesses.

“We are desperately seeking witnesses,” a woman who claimed to be the owner’s niece wrote in a post shared widely on social media.

“Help us find justice for Sasha.”

The woman declined to speak with 7NEWS.com.au, but the family continued to appeal for help through the community page’s administrator, Steven Sewell.

Sewell posted a statement from the family on Tuesday, detailing the “tragic event” and saying the family member had asked him not to share their name.

According to that statement, the owner was walking Sasha to Marketown as usual when a group of youths blocked the footpath at the corner of King and Steel streets.

“When he asked to pass, they verbally abused him and made a threatening comment about Sasha,” the statement claimed.

The man reportedly tied Sasha to a post and entered the shops from 12.10pm to 12.25pm.

When he returned, he was told a group of teenagers had kicked Sasha.

The statement went on saying Sasha appeared fine at first but began limping later that night.

“Her condition deteriorated overnight, and a vet at the After Hours clinic in Broadmeadow suspected severe spinal damage from the assault,” the statement continued.

“The difficult decision was made to end her suffering, with her family by her side.”

Dog Rescue Newcastle launched a fundraiser for “justice for Sasha,” which raised $14,000.

The organisation also offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who could provide information about the alleged attack.

The claim ignited anger and heartbreak across the community.

“I can’t stop thinking about Sasha and her final day on this earth. It both sickens and saddens me. This poor gorgeous girl-I’m so sorry,” one person wrote.

“F**king gutless cowards. To do that to an innocent animal. I might be little but bring it on, I’ll sort them out!” another commented.

“These youths need to be found, and justice served. They should be treated like adults and not minors if under 18,” added another.

‘Extremely angry, disappointed and upset’

News of the charge stunned the same community that had rallied behind the story.

Sewell said he was “extremely angry, disappointed and upset” after learning the alleged assault never happened, and apologised to the public.

“I put (my) name on this as I believed I was doing the right thing, and as an animal lover I wanted to do the right thing,” he wrote on Friday.

“People have the right to be angry but please don’t take it out on myself or the other Admin team.

“We all thought we were doing the right thing, if we had suspected anything I would never have used my group for it.”

Many locals echoed that disbelief online.

“I kept wondering how no one came forward to stop it or see it,” one comment read.

“I had a feeling this was a bit suss....I didn’t think teenagers would do such a thing. Secondly no witnesses,” another said.

“Wow someone is a sick individual to come up with a story like that to generate attention,” another wrote.

“OMG. Wowsers. Had me convinced,” another added.

Dog Rescue Newcastle confirmed on Friday that no money was handed to the family or the dog’s owner, and all donations will be returned.

The owner’s niece declined to comment again on Friday.