Penalty and conviction for dingo food offences on Fraser Island

31 Aug 2007
A Brisbane man has been convicted, fined $500 and ordered to pay $1500 in court costs after leaving food that attracted dingoes at a Fraser Island campsite.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Regional Director Wolf Sievers said Mr Kristian Walsh was issued a penalty infringement notice (PIN) at his campsite in April 2006.

"The PIN was issued for contravening section 14D(1) of the Recreation Areas Management By-Law 1991 (not ensuring food is kept in a way that prevents an animal gaining access to the food)," Mr Sievers said.

"Mr Walsh elected to contest the $225 PIN in court.

“In Maryborough Magistrates Court today, he was fined, ordered to pay costs, and a conviction was recorded.

“The PIN was issued after two QPWS officers went to a camp at Wahba Camping Zone north of Happy Valley and found food left unsecured and unattended by the camp’s occupants, who were asleep.

“Food on the ground included a plastic bag of rubbish, including food scraps, that had been torn into by wildlife, plus potato peelings and a bag of onions.

“Two plastic containers of food and an unsecured esky were on the lowered tray of a utility vehicle.”

“Three dingoes were seen around campsite in the middle of the night and one dragged off the bag of rubbish.”

Mr Sievers urged visitors and residents to heed dingo safety warnings.

“Dingo management on Fraser Island is a high priority for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service,” he said.

“Fed dingoes associate humans with food, become bold, and may attack humans. In that case, the dogs have to be humanely destroyed.

“Visitors need to remember a fed dingo is a dead dingo.

“Signs on the island and information given to campers and residents stress not to feed dingoes and to keep food, including scraps, properly secured.”

Released by: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service