{"id":291752,"date":"2025-10-10T10:53:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/291752\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T10:53:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:53:17","slug":"dog-owner-charged-after-allegedly-falsely-claiming-rottweiler-euthanised-following-teenage-attack-in-newcastle-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/291752\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog owner charged after allegedly falsely claiming Rottweiler euthanised following teenage attack in Newcastle West"},"content":{"rendered":"

A dog owner who claimed his rottweiler was bashed by a group of teens<\/a> has been charged after police discovered the story was made up.<\/p>\n

Police<\/a> allege the 42-year-old man falsely reported that his nine-year-old dog, Sasha, was attacked while tied to a tree outside Marketown shopping centre on Steel St in Newcastle<\/a> West last Friday.<\/p>\n

It was initially claimed Sasha had to be euthanised due to the severity of her injuries.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

However, following an extensive review of CCTV and further inquiries, police allege Sasha was never in the area that day.<\/p>\n

Investigators also determined Sasha was euthanised due to long-term chronic hip and osteoarthritic pain \u2014 not because of any assault.<\/p>\n

Police visited the man\u2019s Charlestown home on Friday, where he was issued a court attendance notice for false representation resulting in a police investigation.<\/p>\n

He is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court<\/a> on November 27.<\/p>\n

Story that deceives community<\/p>\n

Police launched an investigation into Sasha\u2019s death about 2pm on Sunday after receiving the man\u2019s report and called for witnesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are desperately seeking witnesses,\u201d a woman who claimed to be the owner\u2019s niece wrote in a post shared widely on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp us find justice for Sasha.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman declined to speak with 7NEWS.com.au, but the family continued to appeal for help through the community page\u2019s administrator, Steven Sewell.<\/p>\n

Sewell posted a statement from the family on Tuesday, detailing the \u201ctragic event\u201d and saying the family member had asked him not to share their name.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn official statement from Sasha\u2019s family. Credit: Facebook<\/p>\n

According to that statement, the owner was walking Sasha to Marketown as usual when a group of youths blocked the footpath at the corner of King and Steel streets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he asked to pass, they verbally abused him and made a threatening comment about Sasha,\u201d the statement claimed.<\/p>\n

The man reportedly tied Sasha to a post and entered the shops from 12.10pm to 12.25pm.<\/p>\n

When he returned, he was told a group of teenagers had kicked Sasha.<\/p>\n

The statement went on saying Sasha appeared fine at first but began limping later that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer condition deteriorated overnight, and a vet at the After Hours clinic in Broadmeadow suspected severe spinal damage from the assault,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difficult decision was made to end her suffering, with her family by her side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dog Rescue Newcastle launched a fundraiser for \u201cjustice for Sasha,\u201d which raised $14,000.<\/p>\n

The organisation also offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who could provide information about the alleged attack.<\/p>\n

The claim ignited anger and heartbreak across the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t stop thinking about Sasha and her final day on this earth. It both sickens and saddens me. This poor gorgeous girl-I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cF**king gutless cowards. To do that to an innocent animal. I might be little but bring it on, I\u2019ll sort them out!\u201d another commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese youths need to be found, and justice served. They should be treated like adults and not minors if under 18,\u201d added another.<\/p>\n

\u2018Extremely angry, disappointed and upset\u2019<\/p>\n

News of the charge stunned the same community that had rallied behind the story.<\/p>\n

Sewell said he was \u201cextremely angry, disappointed and upset\u201d after learning the alleged assault never happened, and apologised to the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cI put (my) name on this as I believed I was doing the right thing, and as an animal lover I wanted to do the right thing,\u201d he wrote on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople have the right to be angry but please don\u2019t take it out on myself or the other Admin team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all thought we were doing the right thing, if we had suspected anything I would never have used my group for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many locals echoed that disbelief online.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept wondering how no one came forward to stop it or see it,\u201d one comment read.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a feeling this was a bit suss….I didn\u2019t think teenagers would do such a thing. Secondly no witnesses,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow someone is a sick individual to come up with a story like that to generate attention,\u201d another wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cOMG. Wowsers. Had me convinced,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n

Dog Rescue Newcastle confirmed on Friday that no money was handed to the family or the dog\u2019s owner, and all donations will be returned.<\/p>\n

The owner\u2019s niece declined to comment again on Friday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dog put down after horrific attack while owner away for 15 minutes <\/p>\n

1 min read<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Two female hikers found dead on Mount Bogong were Chinese nationals<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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