Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Queensland to Cull Dingoes After Teen’s Fatal Attack
A young woman named Piper James went for a swim on K’gari Island in Australia.
Sadly, she drowned, and a pack of wild dingoes bit her both before and after she passed away.
The government decided to put down the dingoes because they thought the animals were dangerous to people.
Piper’s family is very sad and is planning a special ceremony to remember her.
The island is a popular place for tourists, but people are warned to be careful around the dingoes.
Piper James, a 19-year-old from Canada, drowned on K’gari Island, Australia, with dingo bites present both before and after her death.
The pack of 10 dingoes involved in the incident has been deemed a public safety risk and will be euthanized.
Initial autopsy results indicated that drowning was the likely cause of death, with dingo bites not being the immediate cause.
Queensland authorities have increased ranger patrols and closed two beach camping sites until the end of February.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $20,000 to support a smoke ceremony for Piper James, with her family planning to bring her remains home.
- Who
- Piper James, a 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C.
- What
- Fatal attack by a pack of dingoes leading to the euthanization of the pack
- When
- January 19, with the announcement made on January 20
- Where
- K’gari Island, Australia
- Why
- The dingo pack was deemed an unacceptable public safety risk after the incident
- Victim
- Piper James, 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C.
- Location
- K’gari Island, Australia
- Date of Incident
- January 19
- Cause of Death
- Drowning with pre-mortem and post-mortem dingo bites
- Dingoes Involved
- Pack of 10 wild dingoes
- Action Taken
- Euthanization of the dingo pack deemed a public safety risk
- Government Response
- Increased ranger patrols and closed beach camping sites
- Fundraising
- GoFundMe campaign raised over $20,000 for a smoke ceremony