Wild conspiracy theory emerges after Valerie the dachshund is reunited with her owners after going missing for 500 days

By MAX ALDRED FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 10:28 BST, 7 May 2025 | Updated: 11:19 BST, 7 May 2025

Australians have questioned if the miraculous rescue of a world-famous runaway dachshund was just an exercise in ‘money-making’, after the dog was reunited with her owners.

Valerie, a miniature sausage dog, was found on April 25 – 529 days after she went missing on Kangaroo Island, off South Australia.

This week, owners John Fishlock and Georgia Gardner drove from their home in Albury, NSW, to retrieve their beloved pet.

Ms Gardner said in a statement that Valerie was ‘making her little happy sounds and wiggling around with joy’ after she saw her owners for the first time since November 2023.

‘She’s stockier now, strong and healthy. Healthier than we are, honestly,’ she said.

Valerie was spotted in CCTV tapes from Kangaroo Island residences on multiple occasions but consistently evaded capture for 17 months.

Local wildlife organisation Kangala Wildlife Rescue spotted Valerie in March before trapping her weeks later.

On Tuesday, a veterinarian declared Valerie was in perfect health.

A world-famous and vagrant miniature dachshund was returned to her owners on Wednesday

Valerie survived 17 months on her own in the tough conditions of Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Kangala director Jared Karran said it was ‘just unbelievable (Valerie) was able to survive and thrive out there’.

However, the puppy’s miraculous survival story and 1.8kg weight gain – roughly half her previous body weight – have led many Aussies to doubt she survived on the island on her own.

Many locals believe someone was feeding Valerie, while Kangala co-director Lisa Karran thought she had been taken in by other wild animals.

Some believed Valerie would have become a feral, rabid dog in her time away from civilisation, having been just two years old when she ran away.

But rescuers and vets said that wasn’t the case.

Valerie’s story amassed a loyal legion of followers from around the world. 

But some have claimed the dachshund’s disappearance was a hoax.

One person labelled it a ‘money-making exercise’ on the part of the small, non-profit wildlife organisation.

Kangala Wildlife rescuers narrowed in on Valerie using thermal imaging and night cameras

Some locals believe the dog couldn’t have survived without the help of some humans

‘We all love the story but I’m just thinking they are milking it a bit now,’ another said.

The organisation received donations to help catch and attend to Valerie on their website.

Its volunteers responded to the doubt emerging online.

‘When the dust settles and the truth comes out I think you might be pleasantly surprised,’ Kangala wrote in response to one comment.

‘It can be hard to see in this cruel world, but most people still want to do what’s right.’

Mr Fishlock said the couple were feeling ‘so much emotion’ before their drive home with Valerie on Wednesday. 

‘We were very nervous coming in today but the reaction was just priceless,’ he told The Advertiser.

‘I bawled my eyes out and just seeing her come up and wag her tail and bark, I’m speechless.’

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Wild conspiracy theory emerges after Valerie the dachshund is reunited with her owners after going missing for 500 days

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