Dingo that attacked boy 'didn't want to let go' rangers say

Rangers on Queensland's K'gari Fraser Islandare searching for an "aggressive" dingo, that mauled a five-year-old boy yesterday.

The child is in a stable condition in hospital after being bitten five times at a campsite while on holiday.

The family of four had just set up camp at Ocean Lake on the north west tip of K'gari on Sunday afternoon.

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Their two boys, aged nine and five were playing in the sand near their parents.

Ranger Linda Behrendorff said the animal "pounced" on the boy.

"The older child's got up and sort of walked away and left the young one and the dingo's taken advantage at that stage and pounced on the younger child," she said.

"Both parents charged at the animal. The father was the main person yelling, the dingo didn't want to let go, which makes it quite harrowing.

"In this particular case, it is an overly aggressive response from a dingo, it definitely meant business."

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Melanie McNiff from Life Light Critical Care rushed the child to Hervey Bay Hospital and said he he had "quite a few bites,"

"(He)was mainly bitten on his arms, his back, and his head as well," she said.

Rangers are looking for the animal.

Aggressive dingoes have been euthanised in the past.

Visitors had been warned recently about a possible increase in dingo activity after deterrent fences were put in around Orchid Beach.

But other campers say the incident won't keep them away.

"We're not scared of the dingoes, we respect them. This is their home, we're visiting their home," camper Adrian Irving said.

Visitors heading to the island are given dingo safety information with their permits, and those heading to unfenced campsites will receive extra alerts.

More rangers will now be on patrol.

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Fines apply for anyone caught feeding the dingoes or encouraging interaction.

Fraser Coast Mayor, George Seymour said the animals are a key part of the island.

"It's just gone three decades since K'gari was added to the World Heritage List and the pure bred dingoes are a really important part of that," he said.