Australia’s Queensland state is weighing a proposal that could reclassify dingoes as domestic dogs — a move sparking intense debate among scientists and wildlife advocates. If approved, the change would make it legal for residents to own the wild canines as pets, a major shift from current regulations that label dingoes as an invasive species.
Under existing Queensland law, it’s illegal to own, sell, or even feed a dingo. The proposed reclassification is part of a broader review of the state’s biosecurity rules, with legislative updates expected in the spring. Officials say the new rules wouldn’t alter protections for dingoes in national parks or stop landowners from defending their livestock against attacks.
However, experts warn the idea could have serious consequences. Geneticist Kylie Cairns noted that dingoes are not simply another breed of dog, but a distinct species with unique evolutionary and behavioral traits. “They do not adapt well to domestic life,” she cautioned, adding that many tend to escape or become unmanageable in home settings.
Although keeping dingoes as pets is already legal in New South Wales and Western Australia, rescue groups report high rates of abandonment and surrender. Cairns suggested that if Queensland proceeds, it should impose strict licensing and welfare requirements for owners. Under Australia’s Nature Conservation Act of 1992, dingoes are recognized as native wildlife — a status many conservationists argue should remain unchanged.