My take on this story is ... the parents were in holiday mode ... they should have been educated prior to landing on the island to the dangers their children would be under because of the Dingo's. Even adults ... alone ... are at risk in a pack situation. These animals are wild and it's unfortunate they look like Fido, Rover and Jack our domesticated friends (who are still wild at heart really and still shouldn't be trusted where children are concerned ... ).
People are the problem. We enter the "wild" domain and expect it to be like the city or at home. Domestic dogs never attack or kill or injure ... my arse! If you have children and want them to become adults, you accept your responsibility to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. My parents had me on a kiddy leash when I was young. A little inconvenient for the parents, but safety assured. I do understand that this could have been much worse, and I do feel for the poor child, however it wasn't the childs responsibility to ensure it's own safety. You can't blame the dogs for doing what comes naturally.
Anyone can land on the island, see the "puppies" and become complacent. As for the condition of the dogs ... perfectly healthy ... although compared to Fido, Rover or Jack they do "appear" to be starving, but this is not the case. I believe people feed them because they haven't been educated and do not understand that the dogs are in fact, healthy.
I don't think culling them till they become almost extinct is the right way to do things. They are being managed by the NPWS to the best of their regulated ability. As with the Crocodile, these Dingo's are protected by law. Education is the key. You want on the island, you get the "lecture" before you go over at the time of placing your booking in person, sign a waiver or something that shows you completely understand the dangers. Then you become responsible for your own safety.
I feel for the child.
I feel for the Dingo.
This isn't a rant or a be all and end all, it's just how I feel about the situation.
Kit_e
