Beloved Pet Dog Allegedly Stolen by E-Scooter Rider in Brisbane Suburb
A cherished pet dog has vanished under distressing circumstances, with reports suggesting he was carried away by a man on an e-scooter, leaving carers and family in a frantic search. Oscar, a miniature schnauzer, disappeared while under the care of family friends in Riverhills, located west of Brisbane, around 12.44pm on Monday, February 16.
Initially, those looking after Oscar believed he might have escaped on his own. "We thought he escaped by himself," dog-sitter Natasha Robinson explained to 7NEWS. However, a neighbour later reported seeing someone near the back gate at approximately the same time Oscar was captured on dashcam footage. "We're not sure if he got out because the gate was loose or if someone opened it," Robinson added.
Dashcam Footage Reveals Disturbing Incident
The dashcam footage shows a man dressed entirely in black, wearing a black motorbike helmet, on an e-scooter collecting Oscar and then carrying him down the street. "That's the last time anyone's sort of seen him," Robinson stated, describing the scene. This has led to fears that the dog was intentionally taken, rather than simply wandering off.
Robinson and her family have been actively searching the neighbourhood, distributing missing dog notices with contact details. They are also posting flyers and sharing pictures of Oscar in hopes of locating him before his owner returns from overseas. The owner is currently in the UK with her newborn, and the situation has left her sleepless and deeply worried. "She hasn't slept for about three days since this has happened," Robinson revealed. "Oscar's a much loved dog for us as the owner's friends. She's devastated. So we just want him back."
Description and Urgent Medical Needs
Oscar is described as a grey miniature schnauzer, three years old, weighing around eight to ten kilograms, with distinctive white eyebrows and a white beard. "He's got quite long legs," Robinson noted. His friendly nature makes his disappearance particularly baffling. "He's really friendly. That's why we're just so shocked that he's not in the local area," she said. "He would just go up to anyone and if he's gone missing before he's just sat at the front door. He doesn't really go very far."
Adding to the urgency, Oscar has ongoing health issues, including kidney problems. "He needs his medication and a special diet," Robinson emphasized. "He's a loved dog and we're just really frantically looking for him and just want him back home safe, especially for when his owner comes back on Monday." Oscar is microchipped with up-to-date details, and his carers have reported him missing to the RSPCA and local council, while also plastering lost-and-found pages across social media.
Community Appeal and Reward Offered
The family and carers are reaching out to the community for assistance. They have been door-knocking and appealing for dashcam and home security footage from the time Oscar went missing. "There was a Tesla that was seen next to the e-scooter at the time he was picked up," Robinson mentioned. "Teslas obviously have dash cams. So we're reaching out to anyone around that time on Monday that has got dashcam footage or home security footage they could check."
A post shared to a Brisbane lost pets Facebook group confirms that a $2000 reward with no questions asked is now being offered for Oscar's safe return. "Look ... we just want him back," Robinson pleaded. "If anyone knows anything at all then just get in contact." Even in the worst-case scenario, the family seeks closure. "Even if something's happened to him we'll take him off you and take him straight to the vet," she added.
The community is urged to come forward with any information, as the search continues for this beloved pet in the Riverhills area.
