QLD: Child threatened by dingo on Fraser Island

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2009
QLD: Child threatened by dingo on Fraser Island

BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - A wild dingo has been put down after threatening a three-year-old
boy on Fraser Island off south-east Queensland.

The child had been playing on the beach at Eurong, on the island's eastern side, in
a family group of seven people on Friday when confronted by a female dingo.

The dingo lunged at the child and displayed "very aggressive behaviour", according
to a Department of Environment and Resource Management statement issued on Saturday night.

A passing Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) ranger managed to drive the dingo away.

"The child was not injured but the family told QPWS staff that they were very shaken,"

the statement said.

"In line with the Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy, the dingo was located last
night (Friday night) and humanely destroyed.

"This is a concerning incident and emphasises that dingoes are wild, native animals
that should be interfered with as little as possible."

Fraser Island dingoes were responsible for five attacks on humans last year.

Earlier this month a four-year-old boy was attacked while walking along a beach with
his family at Hook Point.

In 2001 a nine-year-old boy was mauled to death by two dingoes at Waddy Point.

People visiting the island are urged to obey dingo safety information and supervise
children at all times.

AAP djp/ash

KEYWORD: DINGO

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