A Sydney pug owner has been charged with making a false police report after telling detectives his puppy was stolen during a knife-point robbery.
The 29-year-old claimed three men armed with knives approached him in Olympic Park on the night of February 9 and demanded his wallet and backpack.
He also said the thieves made off with his 14-week-old pug named Egg.
On Wednesday, police revealed the man had been charged with making a false report after speaking with officers at Auburn.
He will appear in Burwood Local Court in April.
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"The whereabouts of 'Egg' the dog is unknown," police said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
In reporting the dognapping, the man described the offenders as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance and aged about 30.
He said two were slim and the third was larger with a bald head and goatee.
At the time, Detective Inspector Paul Arnold said the owner was "distraught".
"It's a very low and cowardly act, not only taking this man's property, they've also had the temerity to take his puppy dog," he said.
The subsequent attention gave rise to several social media pages dedicated to sharing news about the pug.
Users took to those pages on Wednesday to express anger, questioning whether the dog ever existed.
"I hope he has Egg removed from him as he obviously has problems," one woman wrote.
