A family dog lost when a Brisbane man’s ute was stolen has been found dead in the vehicle almost a week after the theft was reported to police.

The location of Arnie the German shepherd became the centre of a citywide search, with his owners Nathan and Louise McKeown appearing on multiple TV channels appealing for the dog’s return.

On social media, more than 16,000 people followed a Facebook page tracking possible sightings of the animal.

Arnie went missing on November 8, when the McKeowns’ black ute was taken from a property in the bayside suburb of Wynnum with the dog asleep in the tray.

“Since receiving the report, police have worked around the clock following all lines of inquiry to locate Arnie and the stolen vehicle,” a Queensland police statement said.

The ute was found nine da

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