A man has been fined and ordered to carry out community service after killing a K’gari dingo with a speargun.
The Hervey Bay Magistrates Court fined the man $5000 and sentenced him to 240 hours of community service and two years’ probation.
He was also ordered to pay $1500 in court costs and was not convicted.
The Department of Environment and Science issued a media statement that said the sentence sent a clear message to island visitors that killing, deliberately harming or committing offences against dingoes will not be tolerated.
The man pleaded guilty to killing the dingo with his speargun on April 19.
In sentencing, the magistrate considered the man’s self-reporting of the offence as a mitigating factor.
A number of people have been attacked by dingoes at Fraser Island, including a girl and boy in separate incidents in April and two women in February.
Residents and visitors to K’gari are encouraged to report negative dingo interactions to rangers by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au
People are encouraged to be dingo-safe on K’gari. The are urged to: always stay close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers, always walk in groups and carry a stick, camp in fenced areas where possible, not run (running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction), never feed dingoes, 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.
For more information go to K’gari dingoes.
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