‘Zero tolerance’: Queensland authorities hunt woman over dog act

Authorities are keen to hunt down a woman and her friend who were seen on an Australian beach popular with tourists.

Queensland authorities are hunting for a woman who allegedly compromised the delicate ecosystem of a popular tourist location.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is looking for a woman and her friend seen with two dogs on the beach at Fraser Island (K’gari), about 250km from Brisbane, after tying their yacht offshore.

Queensland officials are keen to track down the woman and her friend. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

She was photographed with two dogs on the beach. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

The two are facings fines, as domestic dogs have been banned on the island by QPWS since 1991.

Ranger in charge Linda Behrendorff said the Fraser Coast Regional Council had supported QPWS by banning domestic dogs on the beach to help protect the wongari population.

Wongari are native dingoes who roam free and the QPWS is responsible for their conservation despite wongari being declared a pest outside of K’gari.

Dingos, or wongari, are protected on Fraser Island. Picture: Robert Soper

“Domestic dogs are incompatible with the natural values of K’gari, and the wongari on K’gari are among the purest strain in Australia,” Ms Behrendorff said.

“Rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation take a zero-tolerance approach to people who break the rules.”

She said that although the woman went to the effort to keep the dogs on a leash while on the beach, she still faced a fine when identified.

“Rangers have reviewed photos of the boat but cannot find a registration, and we’re asking for public assistance to help identify the people on the boat, ” Ms Behrendorff said.

The main threats of domestic dogs on the beach is the potential to pass on dangerous viruses including Parvo virus, or heartworm, which the wongari are not accustomed to.

Dogs can also stress the wongari and lead to altercations between wongari, dogs and their owners.

Fraser Island is a popular tourist location in spring.

The only exceptions to the domestic dog bans are support dogs, which are permitted in national parks but must wear an identifying coat or harness, approved badge/tag and be kept on a lead.

Owners must also have authorised paperwork.

“Domesticated pets do not belong in national parks, and people need to check our website before planning their trips,” Ms Behrendorff said.

“Anyone with information about people who bring dogs or other domesticated pets to K’gari is encouraged to email [e-mail] or phone [phone].”

Domestic dogs are not allowed on the island due to the risks posed to wildlife.