Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has reminded pet owners that cats and dogs must not be taken into national parks or recreation areas.
In separate incidents, QPWS rangers issued on-the-spot fines of $133.45 to a person who took a cat into the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area and to a boatie who took his dog onto the K’gari (Fraser Island) foreshore.
Senior Ranger, Col Lawton said the fines served as a reminder to visitors that domesticated animals are not permitted in the State’s national parks.
“In the 2019-20 financial year, rangers issued 184 fines to people for taking or keeping domestic animals on a recreation area, and 87 fines for taking or keeping a domestic animal in a national park,” Mr Lawton said.
“Domestic pets are incompatible with the natural values of our beautiful national parks and rangers take a zero-tolerance approach to people who break the rules.”
He said dogs and cats were naturally inquisitive about open spaces and their presence and scent were enough to cause native animals stress.
“Dogs and cats may also become lost or hurt wandering off in a national park or while chasing native animals,” the Senior Ranger said.
“Domestic dogs can also carry diseases and viruses that could have an impact on the wongari (dingo) population on K’gari.”
He said cats could also carry disease and they had a major impact on native animals, so it was important to keep pets at home or in care when visiting or camping in national parks.
Senior Ranger Lawton said the only dogs permitted in national parks were certified assistance dogs.
More information on national parks and pets can be accessed on the Parks and Forests website at this PS News link.
