A 42-year-old man from Charlestown has been charged after police allege he fabricated a story that his rottweiler was attacked by a group of teenagers in Newcastle West. The man claimed his nine-year-old dog, Sasha, was bashed while tied to a tree outside Marketown shopping centre on Steel Street last Friday, and that she had to be euthanised due to the severity of her injuries.
However, following an extensive review of CCTV footage and further inquiries, police determined that Sasha was never in the area that day. Investigators also found that the dog was euthanised due to long-term chronic hip and osteoarthritic pain, not because of any assault.
Police visited the man's home on Friday and issued him a court attendance notice for false representation resulting in a police investigation. He is scheduled to appear before Newcastle Local Court on November 27.
The initial report sparked widespread outrage and sympathy, with Dog Rescue Newcastle launching a fundraiser that raised $14,000 and offering a $10,000 reward for information. The community expressed anger and heartbreak over the alleged attack, with many calling for justice.
Steven Sewell, administrator of the community page that shared the family's statement, said he was 'extremely angry, disappointed and upset' after learning the story was false. He apologised to the public, stating he believed he was doing the right thing as an animal lover.
