Family breach biosecurity rules with selfie with their cat

A family have been dobbed into authorities after social media users spotted a huge issue with a selfie of their cat they uploaded.

A family have landed themselves in hot water with authorities after posting a selfie online exposing a major breach of biosecurity rules. Picture: Facebook

A family travelling around Australia with their pet cat have landed themselves in hot water with authorities after posting a selfie online.

Concerned locals alerted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service after the family, which has not been identified, shared a photo of their cat on Fraser Island.

Domestic animals aren’t allowed on the island due to the extreme threat they pose to native animals, and the potential they have to spread disease to its dingoes.

This cat selfie has landed a family in trouble with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Picture: Facebook

“The cat is travelling with a family who are believed to be on a four-wheel-drive holiday around Australia,” the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service said.

“The relevant authorities are attempting to track them down to issue them with an advisory notice before considering further action.”

The department explained domesticated dogs and cats could go missing and “impact native animals, and can also carry diseases and viruses that could impact wongari (dingo) populations”.

This family breached a major rule by taking their cat to K’gari island. Picture: Facebook

“Wongari also have an excellent sense of smell, and the smell of a cat could cause them to investigate that odour, which could result in a negative interaction between the pet, its owner and the island’s apex predator,” the post read.

Bringing domestic animals into Queensland national parks carries a $137 fine.

Five $137 Penalty Infringement Notices have been issued since November 2021, including three in 2022 for bringing domestic pets onto Fraser Island.