Urgent review after third dingo attack on Fraser Island

The attack on a toddler on Fraser Island has prompted an urgent review into managing the dingo population.

A dingo on Fraser Island.

Dingo management on Fraser Island will be reviewed immediately by the Queensland government in a move that could see a cull of the native dogs, or families with young children forced to stay behind fences.

Environment Minister Leanne Enoch would yesterday rule nothing out to improve visitor safety following Thursday night’s dingo attack on a 14-month-old boy.

The toddler was in his family’s camper trailer in an unfenced site at Eurong, on Fraser Island, when a dingo dragged him from his bed and started to carry him off.

Woken by his fading cries, his father wrestled his son from the dog’s jaws, saving his life.

Last night the boy remained in a stable condition in the Queensland Children’s Hospital after surgery for a fractured skull and wounds to the head and neck.

The attack was the third on a child on Fraser Island this year, prompting Ms Enoch to announce a review of the dingo risk management plan “as a matter of urgency”. “The continued safety of visitors to K’gari (Fraser Island’s traditional name) is a priority and we want to ensure all the actions the government undertakes in relation to dingoes is based on the best available science and advice,” Ms Enoch said.

Cheryl Bryant from Save Fraser Island Dingoes said new rules might be needed for visitors so no one had to camp outside the five secure sites.

“It’s difficult to restrict families just because they have children but in light of recent events perhaps it’s time to consider making it mandatory for these families to camp within fenced areas,” Ms Bryant said. “That may mean constructing more fenced campgrounds or restricting visitors.”