A DINGO that was captured at Logan Village is set to join the wildlife education team at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Scenic Rim.
Authorities say it appears the dingo had been hand-raised, but dingoes are classified as a pest species in Queensland and a licence required to keep one.
Named Logan, the dingo has been housed at the council’s animal management centre after it was captured on the outskirts of Logan Village about two weeks ago.
A council spokesperson said it was the first time, probably in the council’s history, that a dingo had been in the care of centre staff.
The animal was caught after a Logan Village resident saw it in bush land.
Chair of council’s animals, parks and city standards committee councillor Jennie Breen said the dingo was taken to the centre for rehoming because it showed signs of being hand-raised.
“Normally wild dogs are eradicated because they pose a threat to surrounding livestock but this dingo showed signs of being domesticated so we decided to re-home him to a suitable zoo or animal sanctuary,” she said.
"It is illegal to have a dingo as a pet in Queensland and an appropriate licence is needed to keep them.
“Luckily O’Reilly’s has obtained a licence and plan to include the dingo, to be called Logan, into its animal education program.”
O’Reilly’s wildlife manager and show presenter Mark Culleton said he was excited to be welcoming the dingo to his team in about two weeks.
To top it off I have met the boy and he is just gorgeous. There is no doubt that he was a well-loved dog.
- O'Reilly's wildlife manager Mark Culleton
“He will make for great topics of conversation,” Mr Culleton said.
“Whether we can refer to it as a native animal or not is one of those conversations.”
He said many people were fascinated with dingoes because of a love of dogs.
“To top it off I have met the boy and he is just gorgeous,” Mr Culleton said.
“There is no doubt that he was a well-loved dog.”
Mr Culleton said O’Reilly’s was building facilities to house the dingo and anticipated being able to accommodate him in about two weeks.
“We didn’t have a plan to get a dingo,” he said.
Once Logan has settled at the guest house, he will be on a lead during presentations and customers will be able to interact with him.
“They will be able to pat him, have photos with him and interact with him.
“He will be part of the topics of conversation and I anticipate he’ll become part of the guest house,” Mr Culleton said.