Heartbreaking footage has emerged of a loyal dog standing over its owner’s body, as gunman Sajid Akram opened fire at the Bondi Beach Hanukkah event on Sunday evening.
The Bernese Mountain dog, who has since been identified as Maui, can be seen standing alone just metres away from the 50-year-old shooter during the massacre in eastern Sydney.
The agonising video which was circulating on social media also showed Maui desperately running around the park as gunshots rang out, with people ducking for cover.
On Monday, as calls around Maui’s safety grew online, Arthur and Co. Pet Detectives founder Anne-Marie Curry launched a campaign to reunite her with her owners.
However, it has now sadly been confirmed that Maui’s owner was killed in the attack.
He has not yet been identified.
The man was believed to have been walking with his wife, Maui and their other dog – a small white poodle – at Bondi when the attack occurred.
Ms Curry confirmed that Maui is now safe after animal rescues, ‘lost and found’ groups and local members of the community all pitched in to help locate her.
‘The dog is now with the victim’s wife,’ she told news.com.au.
‘There is footage of Maui standing over a number of victims after her own parent was shot. She was right in the line of fire.’
In a comment posted to the Arthur and Co. Pet Detectives Facebook page, a local resident, who the Daily Mail has chosen not to name, confirmed he was friends with Maui’s owner.
‘Our friend was Maui’s dad who was killed. She adored her dad, and my heart breaks for her,’ he said. ‘Thank you to whoever it was who caught her and got her home.’
The man also shared his friend had moved to Bondi about a year ago with his wife. The couple previously lived in Rose Bay.
‘He was such a lovely guy. A really gentle soul,’ he added.