Wynnum: Arnie the German shepherd found dead after police find vehicle stolen three days earlier
Police have provided a tragic update on their more than week-long search for a vehicle stolen while a family’s beloved pet dog was inside.
Arnie the German Shephard was inside a black Toyota Hilux when it was nicked from Davidson Street in Wynnum, Queensland in the early hours on Saturday, November 8.
Since then, officers have been working around the clock to locate the eight-year-old black and tan canine and the stolen vehicle.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Reports of ‘Arnie’ sightings from members of the public took investigations across Brisbane Region and to surrounding districts. Unfortunately, the sightings were unsubstantiated,” a police statement read.
The vehicle, with registration of 653SLY, was eventually found by a member of the public on at 4pm on November 14 on Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley.
At 4pm on Monday, November 17, a member of the public located the stolen vehicle parked on Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley.
Arnie was found inside, dead.
His family, who had launched a social media campaign and offered a $6000 reward to find him, wrote of their heartbreak on hearing he had been found dead.
“We are beyond devastated he didn’t deserve to go like this!!” they wrote on a Facebook page set up to find him.
“We had the best life with him and he is going to be so missed.”
Earlier, the family had pleaded with the offender, or anyone who found Arnie, to return him, no questions asked.
“Our sole desire is to have Arnie back home. We do not seek retribution or punishment. We implore you to demonstrate compassion and humanity, allowing Arnie to reunite with his loved ones, they wrote in a separate Facebook post.
“It is not too late to make things right. You have the power to bring this situation to a positive conclusion.”
Bayside Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge, Detective Senior Sergeant Christopher Lafferty, police are still trying to track down the offender.
“We hadn’t given up hope of finding Arnie and being able to reunite him with his family. Investigators are devastated by this discovery and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time,” he said.
“Officers remain committed to finding justice for Arnie and his family and will continue to investigate any report to identify and locate the offender.”
Anyone with relevant information or vision, including dashcam and CCTV that they have not yet reported to police are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
