‘He should pay a price’: Regulator responds to call for charges

Biosecurity Queensland has responded to calls for Alister MacPhee to be charged with animal cruelty offences following a croc attack at the Bloomfield River boat ramp last week.

Biosecurity Queensland has responded to calls for Alister MacPhee to be charged with animal cruelty offences following a croc attack at the Bloomfield River boat ramp last week.

Last Wednesday the 37-year-old traveller ignored croc warning signs and walked to the end of the Bloomfield River boat ramp in a pair of budgie smugglers and began wading into the water with his dog Molly.

With Molly in tow he strolled straight into the path of a croc submerged in shallow muddy water.

Video still of Alister MacPhee and his dog being attacked by a crocodile near the Bloomfield boat ramp at the Bloomfield River.

Mr MacPhee was ambushed by a croc lying in wait and was bitten on the leg before the animal released its grip and dragged Molly into the water.

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science shot the croc and a necropsy of the animal revealed the remains of Molly the dog.

Mr MacPhee has been the subject of a venomous outpouring of anger amid claims he is responsible for the death of a 4.2m croc and his own pet.

Alister MacPhee was flown to Cairns Hospital from the Bloomfield River after being bitten on the leg by a large saltwater croc on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch joined celebrated conservationist Bob Irwin in condemning the actions of Mr MacPhee.

“I’m seriously angry,” he said.

“He propped his bloody phone and videoed the whole thing, he should be held fully responsible for his stupidity that led to the killing of not one but two animals.

“It’s just sheer stupidity and he should pay a price. The croc and the dog paid the ultimate price.

“I can’t legislate against stupidity.”

Picture of Alister MacPhee after being attacked by a crocodile near the Bloomfield boat ramp in North QLD.

A Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman stated the regulator did not condone the ignoring of croc warning signs.

“However in this case no offence has been committed under any legislation administered by DES,” she said

In mid-January wildlife officers did respond to reports of a crocodile spotted in Wujal Wujal area but no crocs were seen and no further reports were made to DES prior to the attack last week.

Alister MacPhee and his dog Molly before being the pair were attacked by a big croc on the Bloomfield River on Wednesday, February 22. Picture: Facebook

Daintree croc guide David White said there needed to be tighter restrictions surrounding crocs, similar to whales on the Great Barrier Reef and dingoes on Fraser Island, to counter emerging social media trends.

“People are doing more and more dumb things for likes on social media. They have to stop this happening in the future,” he said.

“I’m really disappointed they don’t make an example of this particular incident. The government really missed an opportunity.”

The Bloomfield River boat ramp at Ayton south of Cooktown. Picture: Google maps

A Change.org petition set up by Cairns man Tom Hayes calling for Alister McPhee to be charged with animal cruelty has been signed by 895 after being published several days ago.

“This petition has been created to encourage the Queensland government to take action against this man by charging him with the offence of Serious Animal Cruelty (outlined in Queensland) Criminal Code,” the petition states.

In a statement to the Cairns Post a DAF spokesman said no animal welfare complaint had been received in relation to the death of the domestic dog.

“Biosecurity Queensland is not investigating animal welfare concerns in relation to this incident,” the spokesman said.

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Originally published as ‘He should pay a price’: Regulator responds to call for charges