Dingo responsible for K’gari attacks at Hook Point destroyed

A dingo responsible for multiple attacks on K’gari tourists including two young girls has been “humanely” put down as rangers plead with island visitors to do their bit to stop “last resort” action.

A young dingo responsible for biting multiple people on K’gari has been destroyed.

According to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the tagged dingo had displayed “increasingly dangerous behaviour” including two separate attacks on children in recent weeks and then another on a man on Monday.

All three attacks happened at Hook Point and rangers were able to track the dingo and confirm the same animal was responsible for the recent “serious incidents”.

As a result, the dingo was “humanely euthanised” on Tuesday afternoon.

“Due to the escalation of the animal’s behaviour, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has made the difficult decision to euthanise the dingo,” a QPWS statement read

“Euthanising a dingo is a last resort, as it can interrupt the island’s natural ecological and cultural wellbeing, and impacts our rangers and the Butchulla people, particularly if visitors have not complied with our Be Dingo-safe! advice.

A 10-year-old girl suffered serious injuries after being attacked by the dingo last Friday during a swim with a family while a seven-year-old girl was also attacked on the island a week prior.

Tourists are paying a high price at K’gari this week after multiple irukandji stings and a third dingo attack.

That bite is believed to have taken place when a family, waiting for a barge at Hook Point, observed a dingo loitering in the area.

The mother got out of the vehicle to take photos of the dingo and was unaware that her children had followed her.

The dingo approached the girl, who became frightened and ran but the dingo followed and bit the girl, before people nearby chased it away.

Rangers have warned dingoes can appear with “surprising stealth and speed” and their natural curiosity and instincts can lead to negative experiences if these rules aren’t followed.

“QPWS is tasked with the challenging responsibility of striking a balance between public safety and the conservation of dingoes on K’gari, which are a protected species of environmental and cultural significance,” the statement read

A dingo has been ‘humanely’ destroyed on K’gari. PHOTO: File

“To achieve this balance, we carry out constant education and compliance, maintain fences at multiple camping areas around the Orchid Beach township, conduct daily patrols of the island and respond to human-dingo interactions on a case-case basis.

“To help boost public safety on K’gari, the Queensland Government is investing an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing.

QPWS is also expanding proactive Be dingo-safe! messaging to help educate tourists when they purchase camping permits, and at strategic locations on the island.”

People are encouraged to Be dingo-safe! and report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger, or phone [phone] or email [e-mail] as soon as possible.

Visitors to K’gari are reminded to Be dingo-safe! at all times:

• Always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers
• Always walk in groups and carry a stick
• Never feed dingoes
• Camp in fenced areas where possible
• Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
• Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
• Never store food or food containers in tents, and
• Secure all rubbish, fish and bait.