<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334754</docID> <postdate>2024-12-06 10:31:20</postdate> <headline>Repeat offender hit with hefty fine for feeding dingo</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-334755" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dingo-e1733441232267.jpeg" alt="" width="898" height="598" /></p> <caption>A woman was caught on dashcam giving food to a young dingo at an island tourist destination. Photo: Queensland Department of Environment & Science</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Savannah Meacham</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>A woman has been given a big fine after she was caught feeding a dingo at a popular holiday island in her second offence.</strong></p> <p>A ranger caught the woman on dashcam giving food to a dingo, which is illegal, on November 24 at K'gari (former Fraser Island) in Queensland.</p> <p>She had been fishing on the beach at Waddy Point, according to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.</p> <p>The 26-year-old woman threw a small fish to a nearby young dingo, which it carried up the beach to eat.</p> <p>She admitted to feeding the animal and was fined $2580, the maximum on-the-spot penalty. The maximum court penalty for feeding a dingo is $26,614.</p> <p>Rangers soon discovered the same woman had been fined $413 in 2022 for having food available in her campsite at the Wongai camping area.</p> <p>"It is frustrating to have a repeat offender on the island who doesn't care about the safety of people or dingoes," said Mike Devery a compliance manager at department.</p> <p>"Hopefully she has learned an expensive lesson this time, and we hope the dingo doesn't suffer any adverse effects after being fed."</p> <p>Mr Devery said feeding dingoes, even once, is enough to teach them to associate humans with food which can put the animal and person at risk.</p> <p>Once habituated, dingoes can approach unsuspecting people for food and become aggressive if they don't receive it.</p> <p>There have been 21 dingo attacks on the island this year.</p> </body>