A MAN who was savaged by a pack of dingoes on Fraser Island fought off the wild dogs as he scrambled to safety.

Dane Allan, a 25-year-old chef employed on the island, walked to the beach about 10.30pm on Monday, apparently to make a phone call.

Alone in the dark, he was approached by four dingoes about 100m from the fenced township of Happy Valley.

An island paramedic said Mr Allan scared one dingo away – with one report suggesting he used a torch to hit it – before he was set upon by the other three.

The dogs mauled Mr Allan as he fended for his life, leaving him with puncture wounds to the back of his head, buttocks and legs. But he saved himself by protecting his vital regions.

His board shorts were shredded off, his tank top torn and remnants of his clothing were still on the beach yesterday, the paramedic said.

The paramedic said fishermen discovered Mr Allan collapsed on the ground after he had escaped the dingoes’ clutches.

“He was able to fight them off and make his way to the fenced area,” he said.

“Fishermen heard him calling out. He was only about 100m from the gate.”

Mr Allan was yesterday ­recovering in Hervey Bay ­Hospital where he was in “good spirits”.

He had been working at the Fraser Island Retreat at Happy Valley for about eight months, according to residents.

Rangers who already conduct regular patrols of known problem areas have vowed to step up their rounds of Happy Valley and alert visitors.

The attack follows the serious mauling of a German tourist in 2012 and other less dramatic incidents since.

JULY 2012: Dingo attack on Fraser Island

APRIL 2011: Tot attack on Fraser Island sparks call for dingo management review

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service introduced a dingo management strategy – with strict rules against feeding and approaching the animals – after the death of a nine-year-old boy in 2001.

About 200 dingoes roam the island in packs of about 30 and generally stick to their territories.

Situated about halfway along the island on the ocean side, Happy Valley is fenced against dingoes and its entrance protected by an electrified grid.

Fraser Island Association spokesman David Anderson said Mr Allan was lucky.

“He covered himself to protect his face and throat, stomach and groin; he was lucky because he was able to protect himself,” Mr Anderson said.

“If it got him in the stomach and throat and punctured an artery, there’s not much you can do for them.”

QPWS Fraser Coast principal ranger Ross Belcher urged residents and visitors to remain vigilant.

“Fraser Island’s dingoes are not domestic pets, they are wild animals and they must always be treated as such,” he said.

“In the wake of this latest incident I would caution people against walking or jogging alone on the beaches, particularly at night.

“We aim to balance the conservation and welfare of wild dingoes with providing a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors and residents, so our focus remains on educating visitors on how to be dingo-safe.”

A 1.8km dingo fence was completed on the island last month. Its construction followed a 2012 review sparked by a spate of attacks, including the fatal mauling of nine-year-old Clinton Gage in 2001.

QPWS issued the following tips for being “dingo-wise”:

• Keep children close and stay in a group – don’t walk alone.

• Avoid feeding dingoes.

• Keep camp sites clean and secure food, bait and rubbish.

• Whenever possible camp in a dingo-fenced area and never approach a dingo or encourage interaction.

• Any negative interactions with dingoes should be reported as soon as possible to a QPWS ranger by calling 13 74 68 or by emailing dingo.ranger@nprsr.qld.gov.au