New Idea

HOW A $700M POOCH tricked the world!

THIS CANINE CAPER WAS PAWS-ITIVELY TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

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Pampered pooch Gunther VI’S incredibly good fortune has finally come to an end after the story of his lavish life – and the millions he inherited – was exposed as a brilliant hoax.

The nobly named German shepherd, who fooled the world for the past 20 years, was said to be living it up on caviar and truffles in a $44 million Miami mansion that he bought from pop star Madonna. His every whim was catered to by his own personal maid and butler!

The incredible story soon spread. Even the real estate agents selling the property appeared to have been hoodwinked by Gunther.

“We have sold countless multimilli­on-dollar homes, but this is definitely a first,” admitted Miami agent Ruthie Assouline. “When the handlers initially told me a dog owned the property, I didn’t believe it.”

But after a while, believe it she did. Her agency even put out a press release trumpeting their unique listing.

Newspapers and websites around the world picked up the sensationa­l story, which detailed how crazy rich Gunther VI’S wealth comes from his four-legged descendant, Gunther III, who inherited more than $100 million from German countess Karlotta Leibenstei­n, who died in 1992. She apparently bequeathed her entire estate to her beloved pet and appointed trustees tasked with looking after Gunther’s inheritanc­e. Even better, the trustees have increased the value of the estate, which is now worth more than $700 million.

A DOG’S LIFE

If the reports were to be believed, Gunther’s greatgreat-grandson could be found enjoying the riches in the master bedroom of Madonna’s old Miami mansion, or swimming in the pool and cruising around in his personal limousine.

But it turns out it was just a clever ruse by an Italian businessma­n, who has been wagging the Gunther VI tale over the past two decades. It was only when his story “leaked” out on the back of the real estate listing that the truth was uncovered.

The ABC and other news outlets in Australia got sucked in to the hoax after internatio­nal wires agency the Associated Press reported that a trust acting on behalf of Gunther VI was selling the Miami home.

But there were red faces all round after AP found out that while an entity called the Gunther Corporatio­n did indeed own the house, there was no proof it was controlled by a dog or that countess Leibenstei­n ever existed.

“We have corrected the story, and we apologise,” said an AP spokeswoma­n.

 ?? ?? ...and lived in the lap of luxury in this Miami mansion.
...and lived in the lap of luxury in this Miami mansion.
 ?? ?? Gunther VI was reportedly the world’s wealthiest dog...
Gunther VI was reportedly the world’s wealthiest dog...

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