Dogs maul three koalas to death on Straddie triggering call for harsher penalties

Three koalas have died from brutal dog attacks on Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island triggering outrage from local Indigenous groups and calls for urgent regulatory action to protect wildlife.

Indigenous groups on Minjerribah North Stradbroke Island have called for a summit to discuss harsher penalties for owners of dogs who attack native wildlife.

Three koalas have been killed after a series of brutal attacks by domestic dogs on Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island.

The attacks occurred in three separate incidents where unrestrained dogs roamed free, resulting in horrific injuries to the koalas.

Wildlife carers on the island rescued one of the koalas but, sadly, it died after it was admitted to RSPCA’s intensive care ward at Wacol.

The deaths triggered outrage from local Indigenous groups who have called for an urgent summit to discuss introducing tighter penalties.

Department of Environment‘s director of southern wildlife and koala operations Geoff Lundie-Jenkins said it was taking the deaths seriously and warned dog owners of possible penalties.

Mr Lundie-Jenkins said it was illegal to have unrestrained dogs in public spaces on the island, and those found guilty of allowing their pets to injure or kill native wildlife can face significant fines or imprisonment.

Under new legislation, dog owners may even be summoned to court if their pet attacks a koala, which is classified as an endangered species.

Department data showed that dog attacks were the third leading cause of koala mortality, trailing only habitat destruction and vehicle strikes.

Dunwich at Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island, where tourists arrive and there is a busy port. Picture: RealEstate.com

Mr Lundie-Jenkins urged pet owners to be vigilant over the koala breeding season and asked them to intervene if they heard unusual noises from their dogs at night, as most dog attacks on koalas occurred in residential backyards.

“During the breeding season, male koalas are actively searching for females and are particularly vulnerable,” he said.

“They tend to spend more time on the ground, making them more susceptible to attacks.”

Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation spokesman Darren Burns said the island could not sustain such high levels of wildlife mortality, especially during peak holiday periods.

“We need an urgent summit involving traditional owners and land managers to establish stricter regulations and penalties for dog owners who fail to comply,” Mr Burns said.

Koalas require immediate veterinary care following dog attacks, as injuries can often be severe, even if they appear minor.

Tragically, an estimated 70 per cent of koalas that suffer such attacks do not survive, succumbing to infections or severe internal injuries caused by bites.

Residents are encouraged to report any information regarding recent or past dog attacks on koalas to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation on 1300 130 372.

Additionally, residents can use the koala QWildlife app to report sightings of koalas, which helps monitor behaviour and population.

Quick reporting of attacks is crucial to ensuring wildlife carers can provide timely treatment to injured koalas.