A kind-hearted vet has waived the medical bills for a beloved dog whose owners were allegedly killed by a teenage driver in a stolen car.
Frankie fled the scene of the horror crash in Alexandra Hills in Brisbane’s east which took the lives of her owners, Matthew Field, 37, and his pregnant girlfriend Kate Leadbetter, 31, on Tuesday around 5.30pm.
The couple had been taking Frankie and their other dog Django for a walk on Australia Day when the unimaginable incident unfolded.
As Frankie vanished, as many as 1,300 locals banded together to track her down with some searching well into the night – amid fears she would die without life-saving medication she is given daily.
In a small win for the couple’s loved ones in an otherwise tragic story, the traumatised animal was found hiding in dense bushland at around 11.30am on Wednesday.
Dog Frankie (second from right) fled the scene of the horror crash in Alexandra Hills in Brisbane’s east which took the lives of her owners, Matthew Field, 37, and his pregnant girlfriend Kate Leadbetter, 31, on Tuesday around 5.30pm
Frankie suffers from Addison’s disease which means she requires daily medication and is now being cared for by Dr Ray Baxter (pictured) at the SuperVets clinic.
Frankie (pictured) was missing for more than 12 hours after the horrific incident on Australia Day
Frankie suffers from Addison’s disease which means she requires daily medication and is now being cared for by Dr Ray Baxter at the SuperVets clinic.
He said that if she doesn’t get her medication twice a day she is at risk of dying from dehydration – and was in a bad way when she was taken in.
‘She didn’t get her medication for a good 12 hours or more. When she came in, she was in a pretty unstable way,’ Dr Baxter told Seven News.
‘She is doing well now. Obviously shaken up, but she’s going to be ok, maybe just an extra few days in hospital.’
Dr Baxter, who had known Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field for years, said the vet clinic was more than happy to help their beloved Frankie.
‘Everyone’s trying to pay her bill – there isn’t a bill – but everyone’s really banded together to make sure she’s OK,’ he said.
Frankie (pictured) was carried out of the dense bushland by the search party on Wednesday morning and taken to a local vet
Frankie (pictured) survived the horrific crash but fled the scene in terror immediately after. He was found by a large search party in dense bushland the next morning
Frankie suffers from Addison’s disease which means she requires daily medication and is now being cared for by Dr Ray Baxter (pictured) at the SuperVets clinic
The young couple died on Australia Day after a 17-year-old, allegedly high on drugs and driving a stolen Toyota 4WD, crashed into a another vehicle.
The car then veered off the road into Ms Leadbetter, who was six months pregnant, and Mr Field who were out for their usual afternoon walk.
But in a tragic twist of fate, friends of the pair have revealed they went on a different route to normal that day.
The teenager – who cannot be identified – was remanded in custody on charges including two counts of murder at Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday.
Locals banded together on Wednesday night at a vigil on the corner of Finucane and Vienna Road – the intersection where the parents-to-be tragically lost their lives.
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field were taking their dogs Frankie and Django for their usual afternoon walk when they were struck
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s dog Frankie is carried out of bushland on Wednesday morning at the end of a long search by locals, friends and family to find the dog
Ms Leadbetter’s aunt, Danielle Leadbetter, bravely spoke out about the horrific crash which claimed the life of her ‘beautiful’ niece.
‘No parent should have to bury their child. Ever. I feel sorry for everyone involved. The paramedics, police, the people who witnessed it. You never get over a traumatic event,’ Ms Leadbetter said.
The young couple had recently shared a photo of their baby’s ultrasound as they stood proudly in front of a Christmas tree.
Queensland Police are now investigating the potential to lay more charges against the teenager over the death of Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s unborn baby.
‘Here’s two people going about their business innocently on Australia Day, walking their dogs, they should be entitled to do that,’ Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said of the deaths of Mr Field and Ms Leadbetter (pictured)
Locals banded together to hold a vigil at the intersection of Finucane and Vienna Road – where the couple tragically lost their lives
The vigil started at 6pm on Wednesday at the intersection in Alexandra Hills as hundreds of locals paid their respects