Shocking new claims have emerged in the case of a Brisbane man charged over the death of his German Shepherd, Arnie, with detectives now investigating allegations the owner was visiting a city brothel on the night he allegedly left the animal to perish in his ute.
A Viral Plea and a Tragic Discovery
Nathan McKeown, 43, was formally charged on Thursday with breaching his duty of care to an animal after his family dog was discovered dead inside his abandoned Toyota HiLux on Amelia Street in Fortitude Valley on November 17.
The grim find brought a devastating end to a highly publicised search that began more than a week earlier. McKeown had fronted media appeals, claiming car thieves had stolen his ute with Arnie asleep inside from outside a friend's home in Wynnum on November 8.
He and his wife launched a viral social media campaign, offering a $6000 reward for Arnie's safe return. The story captured national attention, with Australians across the country rallying to support the family and flooding their inboxes with potential sightings.
The Brothel Allegation: A Twist in the Tale
Now, the Daily Mail can reveal that police are examining claims McKeown's account of that night was a fabrication. Detectives are investigating allegations that instead of being at his friend's house, McKeown was in Fortitude Valley visiting a well-known brothel.
Police will allege McKeown drove his ute into the heart of the city's nightlife hub at 10.30pm on November 7 and parked directly outside Elysian Touch massage, a parlour understood to offer sexual services. He then allegedly left his vehicle on foot, with Arnie still inside, to attend a separate venue about a half-hour walk away.
The manager of that establishment told the Daily Mail that one of their workers recognised McKeown from his television appeals and identified him as a customer from the night of November 7. The worker subsequently reported the encounter to management, who lodged a formal report with police on Thursday.
CCTV Evidence and a Distressing Account
It is understood the brothel possesses CCTV footage that allegedly places McKeown on the premises between 11pm and 1am. The manager provided a detailed account of the evening, stating, 'He came in and booked a lady and stayed with that lady.'
Perhaps most damningly, the manager claimed McKeown spoke of having lost his car, but made no mention of his dog being inside it. 'All he could talk about was that he had lost his car... The girl told him to report it stolen, then he called his wife and said it had been taken.'
The manager also described McKeown as difficult to remove from the venue, though he eventually left of his own accord. CCTV allegedly shows him returning to the business between 3am and 3.30am, but staff refused to see him.
Police allege that on November 8, McKeown told his wife, Louise, that the ute had been stolen, prompting her to file a police report. Authorities state that Ms McKeown had no knowledge the vehicle had not actually been taken.
The week-long search concluded when a member of the public located the vehicle on Amelia Street with Arnie deceased inside. The family posted a heartbroken message online, stating they were 'beyond devastated' and that Arnie 'didn't deserve to go like this.'
Following inquiries, Queensland Police revealed they will allege in court that the car was never stolen and that the owner had left the dog in the ute in Fortitude Valley. McKeown has been charged with one count of breach of duty of care to an animal under the Animal Care and Protection Act and is expected to appear in a Brisbane court next month.
