Dingoes are known as a type of wild dog in Australia and the country's largest terrestrial carnivore. These animals can be found across the western and central parts of the nation, particularly in forests, plains, and mountainous rural areas.
While a dingo resembles the appearance of a domesticated dog, the Australian government prohibits their removal in the wild and even makes the wild animals as pets.
While there has been a clear boundary between dingoes and pet dogs, there are still instances where the wild members of the family Canidae dingo (Canis lupus dingo) end up encountering humans, even in populated areas.
One such recent case is an incident involving a Port Douglas dingo, which was euthanized by local authorities due to increasing threat to the public, according to a report on Monday, September 25.
Port Douglas Dingo
A stock photo of a dingo.
Port Douglas sits in the northern part of Queensland, Australia, a town known for its beach resorts, the Great Barrier Reef, and rainforests that is home to a rich biodiversity.
On Monday, local sources reported that the Port Douglas dingo, mentioned earlier, received various complaints from residents.
Based on the report, the Douglas Shire Council over recent months received complaints such as the dingo stalking some residents, attacking some pet dogs, and scavenging food scraps at the town's resorts.
The council described that the wild dog has become an "unacceptable public safety risk."
As a result, an unnamed officer under the country's Biosecurity Act trapped and humanely euthanized the dingo, according to the council.
Prior to the so-called animal euthanasia, alternative solutions to the problem were sought such as relocating the local dingo family, which includes the euthanized wild dog.
However, the move has been by locals as challenging since dingoes by nature are territorial.
Also Read: Dingo vs Wolf: Which Canid Would Win in a Fight?
Australia Dingo Origin
The Australian dingo is an ancient breed of domestic dog that was introduced into the country, possibly by Asian seafarers around 4,000 years ago, according to the Australian Museum.
Based on previous research, the origins of dingoes can be traced back to the early breeds of domestic dogs in Southeast Asia.
Given the timeline, dingoes may have once co-existed with the now-extinct Tasmanian tigers in mainland Australia, officially called thylacine, which once roamed the country and the island state of Tasmania.
Meanwhile, there are other reports that suggest dingoes arrived in Australia in two separate events.
According to the National Museum Australia, dingoes may have arrived the country around 12,000 years ago after rising waters separated mainland Australia and the island state.
This is in the context that no dingo fossils were ever found in Tasmania.
Are Dingo Dogs Friendly?
While dingoes are generally considered by scientists as a non-aggressive species, there have been records in the past that Australian wild dogs can attack humans, pets, and livestock.
Back in June 2023, a video went viral showing a dingo biting a sunbathing tourist at a beach in K'gari, Australia.
The said animal was also later euthanized by authorities.
Related Article: Dingoes 'Rewilding' Australia Could Save Biodiversity, Say Experts