SYDNEY: A young Canadian woman drowned after being injured in a dingo attack on an island in eastern Australia, a coroner said Friday (Mar 6).
The body of 19-year-old Piper James (pic) was found on January 19 at a beach on the World Heritage-listed island of K'gari in the state of Queensland.
"Piper died as a result of drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack," the Coroners Court of Queensland said.
"The investigation into Piper's death is ongoing, and no further information can be provided at this time," a court spokesperson said.
The cause of death was determined by a state forensic pathologist, whose findings were accepted by the coroner, the court said.
Following James's death, the Queensland government said a pack of 10 dingoes believed to be involved would be euthanised after rangers observed "aggressive behaviour".
The decision stirred debate about how to handle the island's dingoes, a sandy-coloured canine believed to have first arrived in Australia 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.
Wildlife experts said the interaction between people and dingoes should be better managed, but killing the animals could threaten the island's dingo population, estimated at 70-200 animals. - AFP
