1926-1927

Dingoes have been responsible for considerable loss to farmers in the Maryborough district lately, and they have developed a ferocity not usually associated with their natural cowardly instincts, several cattle having been killed. Yesterday an excited farmer from Teddington, a few miles from Maryborough, approached the police for assistance, alleging that "lions" were marauding his stock. As a result police officers, armed with rifles, and accompimed by a black tracker, accompanied the farmer to his home, when several large yellow dingoes were put to rout.

In December last, a stir was caused amongst tbe people residing at Teddington and in the vicinity at Tinana Creek, by the report that lions were seen prowling in the bush, and that they had attacked cattle (says the Maryborough "Chronicle"). Since then stories have come in from time to time that stock have been killed, and owners have been on the watch for the savage marauders. The vigilance has not been in vain. At Deborah, near Tiaro, a few days ago, a large and powerfully-built dingo was shot, and the pelt was brought into Maryborough by Mr. Sorrenson, of Deborah, who presented it to Mr. P. B. Chauvel, clerk of the Wide Bay and Burnett Dingo Destruction Board. The skin, which was preserved measured five feet from tip to tip. On the neck were long bristles, which, raised by so large a dog, would suggest in a hurried glance that they formed the mane of a lion. It is quite feasible that this animal was identical with one of those seen at Teddington. The exhibit is interesting, and many people called at Mr. Chauvel's office yesterday to see it.

Throughout the entire district (so it would appear from reports which are coming into the Maryborough "Chronicle" from all parts) war has been declared on dingoes. Last week Mr. J. Stutz, of Teddington, was out in the bush with a dog, and at the time he was armed with a rifle. The strange behaviour of his dog suggested that some danger was close at hand. Suddenly two largo dingoes emerged from the scrub, and he had sufficient time to raise his rifle and shoot one. Its companion darted back into the scrub. The dingo which he shot measured six feet from tip to tip, and probably was one of fhe "lions," which created such a sensation some weeks ago. The secretary of the Dingo Board (Mr. P. B. Chauvel) will soon he able to set up a natural museum, as already several more well-preserved scalps have been sent to him as curios.