Two people fined in court for dingo offences
Issued: 25 Sep 2020
A man and a woman from New South Wales have been fined in the Maryborough Magistrates Court for a number of offences, including feeding and disturbing dingoes on K’gari (Fraser Island).
The man was fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $500 legal costs for two offences of feeding and disturbing a dingo, contrary to sections 128 and 130 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2017 (the Regulation).
The woman was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $500 legal costs for one offence of disturbing a dingo, contrary to section 130(1) of the Regulation.
The offences occurred in February 2019, while the two people were camping, and they posted photos and video to their social media accounts.
A member of the public alerted rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
The Department takes these types of matter seriously (DES) and welcomes today’s decision. As no conviction was recorded, DES is unable to name the people.
QPWS rangers have zero tolerance for people who intentionally feed or interfere with dingoes and will hold offenders accountable.
Visitors and residents on K’gari are reminded that QPWS rangers don’t have to be present for a person to be fined for dingo offences.
Tour group operators and members of the public regularly provide information, including photos and videos, to QPWS rangers.
Dingoes on K’gari are not starving and they have access to plenty of natural food. Anyone who breaks the law by deliberately feeding or interacting with dingoes, or failing to secure their food and rubbish can expect a fine or to appear in court.
People who feed and interact with dingoes put themselves and other people in danger, as it increases the risk of dingo habituation (with dingoes tolerating humans at relatively close range).
People are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any negative dingo encounters to a QPWS ranger or phone 07 4127 9150 or email dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au as soon as possible.
For more information go to https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/fraser-island-dingoes