Crocodile Attack Australia: 3m croc slained dog on public beach

Crocodile Attack Australia: 3m croc slained dog on public beach

Police tries to shoot a croc which snatched a lap dog on a NT beach
By: Oliver Koester
February 07, 2006
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POLICE is searching a 3m croc which is suspected of having snatched and ate an unsuspected lap dog on a Nothern Territory beach yesterday.

The incident happend despite concerned residents warned beachgoers that a croc has been seen swimming along the beach for the past week. Crocodile tour guide Ted Jackson, who is supervising a group of students staying on the island, said residents had told him the croc was stalking people on the beach. "If someone is walking on their own he will stop and maybe come in closer," he said. "But if they are in a group he keeps his distance."

Residents at Pirlangimpi (Garden Point), on Melville Island, reported the saltie to police after it came on to the community's front beach and seized the dog on Sunday afternoon. Police officers went immediately to the beach and fired shots at the crocodile, which was by that time 50m offshore. It was not clear if the croc has been hit or wounded said Rod Godden, Officer in charge of Pirlangimpi police station. But he added that police would go to the beach at night to see if the croc would return. "If it comes back we will take the opportunity to destroy it," he said.

Police have special permission from NT Parks and Wildlife and the Pirlangimpi community to kill the croc. "Because it is a concern to the community we will act on it," Sgt Godden said. "There's a worry here because the kids are always playing on the beach."

Crocs are common around the Tiwi Islands and are regularly seen passing at Pirlangimpi.


Resource: NT News - January 24, 2006