Woman convicted over dingo escape

A WOMAN has been convicted and fined for failing to securely enclose two dingoes she had been keeping at her Geelong property.

The Koroit woman pleaded not guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on May 30 to two charges of failing to provide a secure enclosure following two occasions in March last year when her dingoes escaped from her property in Corio.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) senior forest and wildlife officer Roberta Campbell said the owner at the time held a private wildlife licence to keep the dingoes at the property, but the dingoes escaped twice.

“On the second occasion the dingoes escaped onto the streets and mauled a small pet dog being walked by its owner. The dog later died from injuries sustained in the attack.”

After a two-day hearing, the court found the woman guilty of both charges. She was fined $1,000 without conviction for the March 3 incident and convicted and fined $1,000 for the March 5 incident. She was also ordered to pay costs of $10,164 to DELWP for the housing and care of the two dingoes since their seizure.

DELWP regulates wildlife licensing in Victoria, including issuing licences to keep and trade captivebred native wildlife.

Ms Campbell said the dingoes had been forfeited and DELWP would look to rehome them to a suitably licenced and experienced facility.

“There are strict conditions requiring wildlife licence holders to house wildlife in secure enclosures that prevent escape.

“On this occasion, failure to adhere to wildlife licence conditions had serious consequences in the loss of a pet dog.

“This result highlights the serious public safety aspects around keeping native wildlife.

“It also sends a strong message that DELWP Forest and Wildlife Officers enforce wildlife licence conditions and treat any breaches seriously.

“We urge members of the public to report any suspected cases of wildlife cruelty, failure to adhere to wildlife licence conditions or unlicensed possession and trade.

“All information is treated as confidential and reports can be made anonymously.” To make a report, phone DELWP on 136 186.