Crocodile shot dead after attacking Alister MacPhee at Bloomfield boat ramp, near Cairns

A 4.2metre crocodile that attacked a man and ate his dog in far north Queensland has been shot dead by wildlife officers with rangers finding the fisherman’s beloved pet inside its stomach.

Alister MacPhee and his dog were going for a Wednesday evening dip at Bloomfield boat ramp, north of Cairns, when the reptile erupted from the shallows, latched onto his leg and knocked him over.

The 37-year-old broke free from the crocodile’s clutches, but it quickly snapped into his dog and dragged it underwater.

Mr MacPhee suffered wounds to his lower leg and was airlifted to Cairns Hospital, where he’s refused to speak about the incident.

Parks and Wildlife Rangers found the same crocodile about 200m from where the attack happened and shot it dead on Thursday night.

Rangers later found the dog’s remains inside the reptile’s stomach. 

Alister MacPhee and his dog were going for a Wednesday evening dip at Bloomfield boat ramp, north of Cairns, when the reptile erupted from the shallows, latched onto his leg and knocked him over 

Pictured is the 4.2m crocodile that attacked a man and ate his dog in Bloomfield, Queensland

Northern wildlife operations manager Michael Joyce on Friday said the most important thing was public safety.  

‘This crocodile has built an association between food and humans and that’s an unacceptable risk to the community and therefore we had to act,’ he said. 

‘A majority of our wildlife officers are trained to shoot crocodiles from a moving vessel.

‘Shooting a crocodile is a one-shot process, it is a very challenging job to do and one they train a lot to do and they are very skilled at doing that.

‘Imagine from a moving vessel – from one or 200m away – shooting a 50-cent piece. That’s basically what they have to do.’

Mr Joyce said the euthanasia of such a large crocodile in its natural habitat was ‘unfortunately unavoidable’. 

‘It’s important for communities in croc country to feel safe and for problem crocodiles to be dealt with appropriately,’ he said. 

The operations manager said the Bloomfield River is a well-known crocodile habitat, so the incident should be a warning to people to be cautious.

‘Swimming in croc country is a choice,’ he said. 

Alister MacPhee, 37, was bitten on the leg by the croc, before his dog was also mauled

‘Remember, warning signs are not there as decoration and swimming in croc country is a choice.’ 

‘I suggest to people if they want to protect themselves and their families and their pets, is make good choices.’ 

Shocking footage earlier emerged of the attack. 

Mr MacPhee’s dog appeared to bravely attempt to save his owner, only for the crocodile to turn its attention to the pooch and grab it in its jaws.

Incredibly, Mr MacPhee then tried to rescue his dog, with footage showing him raining punches down on the massive reptile. 

However, the croc won the battle and went back underwater with the dog, leaving Mr MacPhee to walk up the boat ramp, clutching his leg in shock after suffering several bites. 

A nearby ranger rushed to Mr MacPhee’s aid and he was treated at the Wujal Wujal clinic before a rescue helicopter airlifted him to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition. 

He is understood to have undergone surgery on Thursday morning. 

The ranger who came to Mr MacPhee’s aid has been left shaken by the harrowing scenes. 

The man and his dog were attacked at a boat ramp on Bloomfield River in far north Queensland

A crocodile lunged at the man and dragged him into the water at boat ramp on the Bloomfield River (pictured)

It’s understood she was awarded ranger of the month in January and is likely to retain the title for a second consecutive month.

The terrifying happened just weeks after local issued a warning by sharing footage of a large crocodile lurking in the water near the boat ramp. 

See that croc everyone,’ the man who filmed a video of the waterway says. ‘Beware of your children … because he is hanging around here.’

Department of Environment and Science (DES) officers will seek the guidance of traditional owners of the area in regards to the disposal of the croc’s remains. 

The department has urged people to be ‘crocwise’ by anticipating crocodiles in all waterways and obeying the signs when in croc country.