A pug dog that was reported missing by its Sydney owner, who allegedly spun a bizarre tale of violent robbery, died and was buried at the man's home, according to police.
The 14-week-old puppy, named Egg, made headlines when his owner, a 29-year-old man, claimed his pet had been stolen at knifepoint around Sydney Olympic Park.
The man even gave very detailed descriptions of the alleged assailants as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance and in their 30s.
"Police from Flemington local area command allege the dog was not stolen, but in fact died at the owners' home and his body disposed of," they said in a statement.
At the time of the alleged dognapping, police said the owner was "extremely distraught" and could not face media.
Through their investigations, which involved looking at CCTV in the area, police found the story did not stack up.
A NSW police spokeswoman told the ABC she could not imagine why someone would invent such a tale.
The dog's initial "disappearance" gained significant attention on social media, with Facebook pages established by the community to "help find Egg the pug".
The owner will appear in Burwood Local Court on April 6.
PHOTO: Egg the pug is dead, according to New South Wales Police.(Facebook: NSW Police)
PHOTO: Egg was initially thought to have been stolen in an armed robbery.(Facebook: NSW Police)
