Boy, 8, bitten by dingo while with family before dad's heroic act

A young boy has been bit by a dingo with injuries to his the lower back and buttock, just weeks after another child was attacked and dragged underwater. 

An eight-year-old boy has been treated in hospital after he was attacked by a dingo while holidaying on K’gari.

The boy was with his family were on the beach at Happy Valley, on Queensland’s Fraser Island at 7pm on Saturday when they were approached by two dingoes.

 It’s believed the boy fell over and was bitten and scratched by a dingo on his buttocks and lower back.

The young boy’s father then picked his son up to separate him from the wild animal.

The frightening incident comes just weeks after another boy, 10, was attacked a dingo as he walked by himself along the water's edge on K’gari Island.

Robert Soper captured a photo of a dingo on Fraser Island. Source: Supplied.

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The Department of Environment and Science told Kidspot that when the boy fell over, he was bitten and scratched.

"It is believed the boy and his family were walking along the beach when the dingoes approached them," the spokesman said.

"We understand the boy fell over, and the dingoes bit and scratched him before his father picked him up and put himself between his child and the animals."

The boy was assessed by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) personnel on the island and was transported to the mainland for further treatment.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are investigating the incident, however the gender and identification status of the dingoes are unknown at this stage.

 “The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service extends its sympathies to the boy and his family, and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact a QPWS ranger by calling 07 4127 9150.

A dingo on Fraser Island. Source: Supplied.

Boy was held underwater by dingo

The attack comes just weeks after a 10-year-old boy was attacked by a dingo on K’gari Island as he walked by himself along the water's edge on June 16. 

The family was staying at a popular camping ground when the incident occurred

According to Assistant Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield, the dingo grabbed the boy’s shoulder and dragged him underwater. 

“The boy’s 12-year-old sister, who was nearby, reacted quickly and ran to assist him,” Mansfield said. 

“The family treated the boy for puncture wounds to his shoulder and arms and scratches and bruises on his collarbone and arm.” 

Following the attack, Mansfield said the dingo was “digging up food scraps that had been buried in the sand.” 

She warned parents that children should be within arm’s distance of their parents or guardians, especially in high-risk areas. 

“There are too many instances where children are not being appropriately supervised,” she said per 7News. 

“On K’gari, this means children and teenagers must be within arm’s reach of an adult at all times, even if you can’t see any dingoes in the area.” 

Earlier in June, a dingo was euthanised following a string of attacks on K'gari Island.

According to Courier Mail, the dingo was “responsible for a string of high-risk incidents”, including biting a seven-year-old boy on June 1, as well as biting a 42-year-old woman three days later.

How to be safe from dingoes?

Visitors to K’gari are reminded to be dingo safe at all times:

1. Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
2. Always walk in groups
3. Camp in fenced areas where possible
4. Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
5. Never feed dingoes
6. Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
7. Never store food or food containers in tents, and
8. Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.

Originally published as Boy, 8, bitten by dingo while with family before dad's heroic act