Casey Donovan has responded to allegations she was involved with ‘dognapping’ a Pomeranian over the weekend.
The Australian Idol and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner shared her side of the story after the alleged incident went viral online and via multiple news outlets.
In a series of now-deleted Facebook posts, a Brisbane man claimed that his dog, Donatella Versace, had been snatched by Donovan and wig designer Drew-Elizabeth Johnstone.
Footage from the hallway of the man’s unit building shows Johnstone scooping up the pooch and taking it into the elevator, with Donovan following behind.
In a statement posted to social media, Donovan said that she and a group of colleagues went out for a drink after a gig, before accompanying Johnstone to a friend’s house.
“Whilst I was in the bathroom doing an exit wee, I could hear commotion outside and the friend came and asked me to come out and settle [Johnstone] down, who was clearly very upset as she had witnessed a small dog yelping having been thrown across the room by a flatmate,” she said.
“I told [Johnstone] we need to leave, meanwhile I was physically being pushed out of the apartment by this friend.”
Donovan said the pair saw the dog down the hallway near the lifts on their way out, “not knowing how it got there”.
“[Johnstone] still being very upset about what had happened and with great concern for the dog’s welfare, decided to take the dog home so the people who were in the apartment that were heavily intoxicated could sober up and be more responsible with the poor dog,” she wrote.
She said she did not witness the alleged animal abuse firsthand, but believes Johnstone’s account. “I certainly do not condone any type of cruelty or abuse towards an animal whatsoever, and am appalled and in shock,” she wrote.
“I agree [Johnstone] should have not taken the dog, and should have advised the friend immediately that she had, not the next morning, and I can confirm 100 percent there was no conspiracy, plan, or discussion about stealing a dog”.
Donovan said her friend’s heart was in the right place, and she believed Johnstone had taken steps to report the incident through official channels.
The Daily Mailreported video of the footage resulted in the singer receiving death threats.
The owner has denied the dog was being mistreated.
Love Film & TV?
Get the latest Film & TV news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
