CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses events which may be distressing to some readers.
In the hours after Sunday’s terror attack in Bondi, as emergency services secured the area and families searched desperately for loved ones, another urgent effort unfolded in parallel: the search for pets separated from their owners as people fled the scene.
Facebook quickly became a central hub for information sharing, with posts, photos and sightings circulating widely across local groups.
Among those coordinating the response was Sydney-based Pet Detective Anne-Marie Curry, founder of Arthur and Co Pet Detectives, who offered her professional services free of charge to anyone affected.
“I realised very quickly that it was likely there were going to be dogs separated from their owners,” Anne-Marie told The Weekly. “Obviously, my first thought was for the victims, for the families, for the children and the elderly. But then I said to my husband, ‘There would’ve been dogs there. I should offer to help.’”
By late Sunday evening, her concerns were confirmed. A post from a distressed owner who had become separated from her dog while fleeing the scene began circulating online.
“At about 11pm someone sent me a screenshot of Matcha’s post,” Anne-Marie said. “The owner had put up that she’d become separated from her dog as she fled. We immediately shared it to our page because we have a lot of reach and, importantly, a lot of relevant professionals following us.”
That network included local vets and animal rescue groups across Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “We knew that getting the word out as far and wide as possible would help,” she said.
Facebook becomes a vital tool
For pet detectives, Facebook is not just a noticeboard but an investigative tool. “It’s critical,” Anne-Marie said.
Alongside digital methods, she and her team used a combination of traditional and high-tech tools.
“We use everything from posters and flyers to drones, trail cameras and even drain endoscopes,” she said. “All of the steps we take are complementary and tailored to the circumstances of each case.”
Among the first dogs to be located was Sassy, who had been separated from her owner during the attack.
“Sassy was behind him throughout the whole ordeal,” Anne-Marie wrote in a Facebook update. “Both are physically unharmed.”
Another case, involving a Bernese Mountain dog later identified as Maui, was far more confronting.
“This is such a tragedy, and it defies belief,” Anne-Marie wrote in a post. “Tragically, the Bernese Mountain dog’s owner was shot and killed last night. His wife was with him, as were his two beloved dogs, but amidst the horror, the Bernese, who we now know is named Maui, escaped and was seen running amongst the shooting and near the shooters in a frantic state. Thankfully, we’ve just received confirmation that both the victim’s dogs (Maui the Bernese and the smaller white poodle) are safe.”
Footage circulating online showed the dog running frantically through the scene amid the chaos, prompting widespread concern from people who had witnessed the attack.
“In Maui’s case, we had an extraordinary amount of information coming in. We had so many people who were actually there saying, ‘I saw this dog, and I don’t know what happened to it. It’s been worrying me. I can’t stop thinking about it.’”
She said messages came not only from the wider public, but from people directly impacted by the events unfolding around them. “There were people who had fled for their lives, reaching out to us asking if we had any updates on this dog or that dog. They were traumatised by not knowing.”
As posts were shared and reshared, animal rescue groups, missing pet services and members of the public rallied to help trace Maui’s movements.
“It was a complete coming together of people,” Anne-Marie said. “Other pet organisations and rescue groups shared our posts immediately, and that collective effort helped us piece together what had happened.”
Her team relied on a steady stream of unedited footage, sightings and firsthand accounts to establish a clear timeline.
“We are fact-based and evidence-driven,” she shared. “We cut through all of the noise, all of the misinformation and theories, and just focus on the facts.”
Hours later, confirmation came that both of the family’s dogs were safe.
“Being able to confirm that these animals were safe, home and unharmed became a great source of comfort for a great many people,” Anne-Marie said. “People were so relieved. They needed some good news.”
Working amid such trauma requires focus. Anne-Marie said the volume of information – and misinformation – during major incidents can be overwhelming.
“There was already enough misinformation flying around,” she said. “We never get caught up in gossip. We just focus on the job.”
While the circumstances were extraordinary, the principles guiding her work remained the same. “There’s obviously a lot more emotion and franticness in an emergency like this,” she said. “But we’ve worked on cases involving floods, house fires and other disasters. In every situation, we apply the same headspace: strategy, facts and evidence.”
What to do if you find a lost pet
The detective urged people to act carefully if they come across a lost animal during an emergency.
“If possible, secure the pet safely, but don’t put yourself at risk,” she said. “Then, as soon as possible, take it to a vet or a pound, or contact us, because we may already have reports of a missing pet.”
She reminded Australians that microchipping is mandatory. “It’s the law that pets are microchipped and registered to their owner,” she said. “That’s one of the fastest ways to reunite them.”
After days of confronting footage and distressing news, Anne-Marie said what stayed with her most was the speed and compassion of the community’s response.
“The amount of support has been heartwarming. It reminds you of the importance of standing by each other and just chipping in and doing what you can, where you can.”
She pointed to the story of Matcha as a powerful example. “Her owner was fleeing for her life, and a man who was also fleeing picked Matcha up, took her home and cared for her until he could find the owner,” she said. “That’s pretty incredible.”
In the midst of tragedy, these reunions offered something rare: reassurance.
“There is some light in this. These pets are safe – and they’re safe because the community rallied.”
If this story has raised issues for you, help is available.
The NSW Health Mental Health Line is available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.
For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
