Boy, 9, bitten by dingo, with animal injured as bystanders intervene
Rangers on K’gari have spent Friday afternoon tracking an injured dingo after the animal fled when bystanders intervened in an attack against a child.
The nine-year-old boy was bitten under the arm shortly before midday on Friday, near Yidney Rocks Beachfront Units, and taken by Marine Rescue Queensland to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition.
Initial reports indicated the dingo was stabbed by passersby who ran to the boy’s aid.
A boy has been bitten by a dingo, which adults reportedly stabbed during the rescue. Credit: Courtney Kruk
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation confirmed the dingo had been injured by people who rescued the boy, but said it could not determine the nature of those injures until they found the animal.
“Rangers are now searching for the dingo and will increase patrols in the area,” a department spokesman said on Friday evening.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said his thoughts were with the family and boy after the confronting experience.
“We are waiting for more information about the incident and in the meantime, we will increase Ranger patrols in the area,” Powell said.
He added the state government was currently working to review the dingo management plan for K’gari to “ensure it is fit for purpose in 2025”.
There have been more than 30 negative interactions and high-risk incidents involving dingoes K’gari this year, with another person bitten less than a week ago when a dingo swam through the water and bit a fisherman on the leg.
The man was fishing in knee-deep water near Eurong about 11.30am on Sunday when the animal attacked him from behind.
K’gari wildlife ranger Dan Novak said dingoes were known to scavenge from people fishing, and were “opportunistic predators”.
The department warned tourists on the island to remain away from the wild animals, to lock up food while on the island, and avoid camping outside designated zones or running when the animals might be present.