‘Heard the outcry’: Arnie owner sentence could be appealed by government

The sentence against the man who made up an elaborate story about a robbery while his dog Arnie died in his hot car could be appealed by the state government.

Nathan McKeown, 43, was sentenced to 240 hours of community service on February 5, with no conviction recorded. He was also disqualified from driving.

LNP minister Amanda Camm confirmed on Saturday morning legal advice had been sought by Police Minister Dan Purdie.

“I’ve certainly heard the outcry from the public, and we take that on loud and clear,” she said at Parliament House.

“I think more broadly, when there are cases that don’t meet public expectation it is absolutely appropriate for the police minister or the Attorney-General [Deb Frecklington] or myself and other ministers … to seek advice as to the process in regards to appeals.”

McKeown had told police he put Arnie in the back of his Toyota Hilux ute with water around November 7 before the vehicle was stolen.

He then did days of media calling for the safe return of his family pet, before it emerged he’d driven the ute to Fortitude Valley himself and the dog had died – likely a day or more later from heat stress or dehydration – in the back.

In court the 44-year-old said he had invented the story about the robbery after panicking about how to hide a drug-fuelled brothel binge from his wife.

His lawyer, Patrick Quinn, told the court McKeown was very sorry for the death and cover-up, adding McKeown had tried to find Arnie but did not know where the vehicle was parked.

He was charged over the death of the dog, as well as with driving unlicensed and under the influence of liquor and a drug, and obstructing police.