A man has been fined and order to perform community service after being found guilty of killing a dingo on K’gari earlier this year.
In a statement, the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court fined the man $5000 and sentenced him to 240 hours of community service and two years’ probation after the speargun killing of the dingo.
It stated the man pleaded guilty to April 19 killing and was also ordered to pay $1500 in court costs, with no conviction recorded.
“The sentence sends a clear message to visitors to the island that killing, deliberately harming, or committing offences against dingoes will not be tolerated,” the statement read.
“In sentencing, the Magistrate considered the man’s self-reporting of the offence as a mitigating factor.”
The Department advised residents and visitors to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) to report negative dingo interactions to contacting rangers on 07 4127 9150 or via email.
It encouraged everyone to be “dingo-safe” at all times on K’gari by:
- Always staying close (within arm’s reach) of children and young teenagers.
- Always walking in groups and carry a stick.
- Camping in fenced areas where possible.
- Not running. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction.
- Never feeding dingoes.
- Locking up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat).
- Never storing food or food containers in tents.
- Securing all rubbish, fish and bait.
