Ranger patrols on Fraser Island will be increased after a young boy was attacked by a dingo over the weekend.

Key points: The boy was bitten several times after encountering a pack of dingoes

The boy was bitten several times after encountering a pack of dingoes Rangers are trying to find the dog that bit the boy

Rangers are trying to find the dog that bit the boy Regular visitors to the island believe the animals are becoming less afraid of people

It comes as regular visitors to the island complained that tourists' behaviour was helping to lure the animals closer.

The six-year-old boy remains in hospital and is not expected to be released for several more days.

It is understood he was bitten several times on the lower leg.

He encountered a pack of four dingoes while returning to a camping area with his family at Eurong on the island's eastern side.

The boy's father said his son was "in the wrong place at the wrong time and everything happened very quickly".

"We understand that the island is home to the dingoes, and that this was just an unfortunate incident," the father said in a statement from the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.

How to be dingo safe on Fraser Island: Always stay close (within arm's reach) of children and young teenagers

Always stay close (within arm's reach) of children and young teenagers Always walk in groups

Always walk in groups Camp in fenced areas where possible

Camp in fenced areas where possible Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction

Do not run. Running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction Never feed dingoes

Never feed dingoes Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)

Lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat) Never store food or food containers in tents Source: Qld Department of Environment and Science

"We've also been helped by some really kind and generous members of the community, both on Fraser Island and in Hervey Bay, and we're grateful for that support too.

"We think the rangers on Fraser Island do a great job of raising awareness about dingoes, and that on the whole, people who stay on the island respect the dingoes and the advice of the rangers."

Queensland Parks and Wildlife said rangers would be stepping-up their patrols in the area, monitoring the animals and trying to identify the dingo responsible.

Campers were also being encouraged to remain alert and report any negative dingo encounters.

A statement from the Department of Environment and Science this afternoon said dingoes that were "particularly aggressive and deemed an unacceptable risk may be removed in consultation with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation".

The department said the dingo responsible for the attack had not been identified and authorities were not planning on destroying the dog involved.

'When I was a child, you would never see a dog'

The founder of the Fraser Island Defenders Association (FIDO) John Sinclair said he believed dingoes were becoming fearless of humans on the island, and therefore appearing in larger numbers.

"I can remember my first trip to the island in 1957, we knew there were dingoes there then but we never saw one," he said.

"They were adept at making themselves very secretive, you couldn't lure them out, but now of course they've lost their fear of humans to a large extent and they're less afraid to approach."

The six-year-old boy was taken to hospital. ( Supplied: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue )

Andrew Richter lives in Brisbane, but has a holiday house at Orchid Beach and visits Fraser Island regularly.

He said he had also noticed an increase in dingo numbers on the island as well as a change in behaviour of the dogs.

"When I was a child, you would never see a dog. You would hear them at night. They would never come around vehicles.

"The problem is people are feeding the dogs. You would go up there sometimes and never see a dog … now they come up close to the car."

Mr Richter filmed a video of a pack of dingoes that approached his car this summer.

"Most dogs keep their distance. These dogs came within metres of our car. They weren't sheepish like you expect a wild animal to be."

A dingo near the table of a holiday maker's place on Fraser Island. ( Supplied: Andrew Richter )

Mr Richter said he was not surprised to hear of the attack on the young boy.

After seeing two different dingo packs on the island this summer, he was worried enough to alert Parks and Wildlife officers.

"They said they were patrolling and were aware there were dogs around. They said to make a note of the tags on the dogs, so they could identify which dogs are becoming a problem.

"I think the dogs are good for the island, they have been there for 5,000 years. It would be a shame if anything was to happen to them

"But I think they need to do an assessment and see how many dogs can survive on the island with its natural resources."

A visitor to the island says he noticed a lot of dingoes this holiday season. ( Supplied: Andrew Richter )

People getting close to dingoes for photos

He said people need to be reminded not to feed or encourage the dogs.

"They are calling the dogs over to them, they have their windows down. I've heard people encourage them to the car … just to get a photo."

Mr Sinclair said the dingoes had grown used to humans, due to being fed instead of allowed to fend for themselves.

"There are just some animal lovers who can't bare to see a hungry animal, and the other reason is people are very keen to get close photographs and get up close and personal to dingoes," he said.

"In that process people are luring them closer and closer, and that of course then changes their behaviour.

"[The number of dingoes on Fraser Island] goes up and down between 100 and 200, if it goes higher than that then it's greater than their natural food supply and comes down to people supplying them with food."