The Queensland state government in Australia ordered the sacrifice of a pack of dingoes following the death of 19-year-old Canadian tourist Piper James. She was found surrounded by about ten animals on a beach on K’gari Island on January 19. Although the preliminary report indicates drowning, the young woman had bite marks on her body.
Dingoes, called wongari by the indigenous Butchulla people, are considered sacred on the island, which is a world heritage site. Environment Minister Andrew Powell said the decision to euthanize the animals was difficult but necessary. “This is a difficult decision, but I believe it is the right choice in the public interest,” he said.
At least six dingoes have already been euthanized, according to ABC News. The victim’s family supported the measure. Piper’s mother, Angela James, lamented her daughter’s mistake, without elaborating, and said that young people “should be able to make mistakes, and it shouldn’t cost them their lives.”
