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Steve Irwin’s father is leading calls for an investigation into whether animal cruelty was involved after a 4.2metre crocodile injured a man and killed his pet dog last week in far north Queensland.
Bob Irwin, 83, says he is ‘constantly upset’ that crocodiles pay the ‘ultimate price’ in any interactions between humans and crocodiles.
The conservationist, who has worked with crocodiles for more than 50 years, explained that stronger deterrents are needed to stop people from exposing themselves to crocodile attacks.
‘You cannot go within 100metres of a humpback whale in the ocean, feed or make food available to dingoes on K’gari (Fraser Island), swim in restricted areas at Babinda Boulders, or be caught feeding cassowaries from your picnic rug at Etty Bay. It is now an offence,’ he told the ABC.
Steve Irwin’s father is leading calls for an investigation into whether animal cruelty was involved after a 4.2metre crocodile injured a man and killed a pet dog last week in far north Queensland
Pictured is the 4.2m crocodile that attacked a man and ate his dog in Bloomfield, Queensland
His comments came after the crocodile that attacked Alister MacPhee and his pet dog while they were going for a swim at Bloomfield boat ramp was shot dead by wildlife officers.
Mr MacPhee was swimming with his Rottweiler ‘Magic Molly’ last week when the reptile erupted from the shallows, latched onto his leg and knocked him over.
Mr MacPhee suffered wounds to his lower leg and was airlifted to Cairns Hospital.
Parks and Wildlife Rangers found the same crocodile about 200m from where the attack happened and shot it dead on Thursday night.
Rangers later found the dog’s remains inside the reptile’s stomach.
Alister MacPhee was swimming last week when the reptile erupted from the shallows, latched onto his leg and knocked him over. His dog Molly (pictured) was killed
Northern wildlife operations manager Michael Joyce on Friday said the most important thing was public safety.
‘This crocodile has built an association between food and humans and that’s an unacceptable risk to the community and therefore we had to act,’ he said.
‘A majority of our wildlife officers are trained to shoot crocodiles from a moving vessel.
‘Shooting a crocodile is a one-shot process, it is a very challenging job to do and one they train a lot to do and they are very skilled at doing that.
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The man and his dog were attacked at a boat ramp on Bloomfield River in far north Queensland
‘Imagine from a moving vessel – from 100 or 200m away – shooting a 50-cent piece. That’s basically what they have to do.’
Mr Joyce said the euthanising of such a large crocodile in its natural habitat was ‘unfortunately unavoidable’.
‘It’s important for communities in croc country to feel safe and for problem crocodiles to be dealt with appropriately,’ he said.
The operations manager said the Bloomfield River is a well-known crocodile habitat, so the incident should be a warning to people to be cautious.
A crocodile lunged at the man and dragged him into the water at boat ramp on the Bloomfield River (pictured)
‘Remember, warning signs are not there as decoration and swimming in croc country is a choice.
‘I suggest to people if they want to protect themselves and their families and their pets, is make good choices.’
Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has said it hasn’t received any complaints and was not investigating the matter.
The Department of Environment and Science added they’d received no complaints of animal cruelty.
Shocking footage emerged earlier of the attack.
Mr MacPhee’s dog appeared to bravely attempt to save his owner, only for the crocodile to turn its attention to the pooch and grab it in its jaws.
Incredibly, Mr MacPhee then tried to rescue his dog, with footage showing him raining punches down on the massive reptile.
However, the croc won the battle and went back underwater with the dog, leaving Mr MacPhee to walk up the boat ramp, clutching his leg in shock after suffering several bites.
A nearby ranger rushed to Mr MacPhee’s aid and he was treated at the Wujal Wujal clinic before a rescue helicopter airlifted him to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
He is understood to have undergone surgery on Thursday morning.
The ranger who came to Mr MacPhee’s aid has been left shaken by the harrowing scenes.
