It was just so tragic: An innocent pug, ripped violently from his owner’s arms. The story sent the internet into a tailspin, but now the police seem to think it doesn’t add up.
When the alleged crime emerged on Feb. 10, the internet fell hook, line and sinker for the tale of Egg, a young pet pug from Sydney, Australia that had reportedly been snatched from his owner at knifepoint.
The New South Wales police issued an appeal for information on Facebook at the time, stating that the pup was stolen by three unknown men armed with knives. “Police are urging the men to safely return the dog and attend their nearest police station,” they wrote.
The pug-napping even managed to reach countries as far-flung as France. And Twitter, as Twitter is wont to do, went into meltdown mode.
All I want in life is for Egg the little pug pup to be found.
Stephanie Jones (@stephaniejjones) February 12, 2017
Sorry, no, I’m genuinely concerned. Where is the little black PUG puppy called Egg? Has he been returned safely? @RSPCA https://t.co/LBsbrYVyJ2
annette haridan (@annetteharidan) February 11, 2017
Can someone pls tell me if #EggthePug got returned? I think about it everyday
Kendelle (@kenzieloui) February 20, 2017
Bring #eggthepug home. These three cowards who stole the dog have testicles the size of peanuts!
Adam S. (@78hundred) February 12, 2017
Now it’s emerged the police are charging Egg’s owner with making a false report, Fairfax Media reported Wednesday, casting the truth of the whole damn mess into doubt.
Police allege his owner made the robbery up, but they’re still looking for the 14-week-old doggo. “The main thing is, we really don’t know what has happened to Egg or where Egg is,” a NSW Police spokesman told the publication. “Anyone with information of the dog’s whereabouts is urged to contact police.”
Does that mean Egg is a complete hoax? Or that Egg is missing, but was not stolen at knifepoint? Either way, the internet is peeved.
Egg the stolen Pug was all a lie and I just feel so emotionally manipulated right now.
Stephanie Jones (@stephaniejjones) February 21, 2017
What? The man who claimed Egg the Pug was stolen has been charged with filing a false police report https://t.co/W8OpYZ030h pic.twitter.com/P3Df262w0E
Finbar O’Mallon (@finbaromallon) February 21, 2017
You gotta take everything with a grain of salt these days, it seems even a heart-wrenching story about a poor young pup.
NSW Police has been contacted for comment.
Read more: http://mashable.com/2017/02/21/egg-pug-stolen-knifepoint-false-report/