At the age of 43, McKeown found himself at the center of a whirlwind of deceit that began with a false report of his car being stolen. This fabricated tale set off a sprawling police investigation and a nationwide call for assistance.
Despite his appearances on television and radio channels pleading for help to locate his dog, Arnie, McKeown managed to avoid prison time. His elaborate web of lies had escalated beyond his control, leading him down a path he hadn’t anticipated.
The court proceedings were fraught with tension, as security personnel conducted thorough searches of the premises for any explosive devices. This was a precautionary measure, necessitated by the flood of death threats McKeown faced following his arrest.
Ultimately, he admitted to unlawfully killing his dog and misleading the police, causing them to embark on a futile search for his vehicle.
His televised appeals captured the public’s imagination, resulting in numerous alleged sightings of Arnie and sparking a social media campaign that captivated millions.
During the sentencing, Magistrate Deborah Vasta remarked on McKeown’s notoriety, describing him as “public enemy No.1” in the wake of his arrest.
“Members of the public felt betrayed, they felt you perhaps manipulated or exploited their emotions for your own benefit,” she said.
“I take into account public condemnation and much of it is justified.”
Defence solicitor Patrick Quinn said his client had received “vile” death threats via social media.
“They call for his death, his gassing, for him to be beaten. He has essentially been in hiding,” he said.
McKeown’s offending was unusual and extreme, the police prosecutor said.
“He left Arnie in the car with no food, water or ventilation,” the prosecutor said.
McKeown also pleaded guilty to unlicensed driving and driving under the influence.
The prosecutor said McKeown was captured on CCTV letting Arnie out of the ute to go to the toilet on the evening of November 7 in inner Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
“McKeown appeared heavily affected by alcohol. He was unsteady,” the prosecutor said.
Vasta heard McKeown did not return and instead visited several venues, bars, service stations and fast food outlets until the early hours of November 8.
McKeown could not remember where he parked and told his wife his ute had been stolen, which she reported to police.
“On a large scale he misdirected police and the public to find the ute. He persisted with the false narrative in national media,” the prosecutor said.
The amount of police resources wasted in the search and chasing sightings of Arnie was large, Vasta heard.
A resident smelled a foul odour coming from McKeown’s utility on November 17 and police found Arnie in an advanced state of decomposition.
McKeown should not face prison time as he had no prior criminal record, had checked in to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and was deeply remorseful, Vasta heard.
“It’s a perfect example of the cover-up being worse than the original offences,” Quinn said.
McKeown had owned and trained Arnie since he was a nine-week-old puppy and took the dog with him everywhere, Vasta heard.
“It was a classic snowball that got bigger and bigger…and you didn’t have the guts,” Vasta said.
“Your actions killed your dog. Your best friend.”
Vasta told McKeown he would have been jailed if he had deliberately killed Arnie.
Instead he received the maximum 240 hours of community service and was disqualified from driving for eight months.
“Your past is going to travel with you when people google you. I’m not going to record conviction. That would make things worse.”
McKeown declined to comment as he left court.
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