A lucky rascal or a feral critter that ‘should be euthanised’? Hunt for Valerie the dachshund divides Kangaroo Island

The story of Valerie, the miniature dachshund that has been missing on Kangaroo Island for more than 500 days, has captivated readers around the world. Photograph: Courtesy of Georgia Gardner

There’s a roo carcass on the side of the road, near the turnoff to one of Kangaroo Island’s many excellent cellar doors. Black ravens lift sullenly from their feast as cars speed past.

Some think this sort of roadkill is how Valerie, the miniature dachshund that has been missing for more than 500 days, has survived since running away from her owners. It’s hard to picture the 4kg, adorable, goofy-eared, big-eyed sausage dog choosing this particular meal, but that’s a prevailing theory.