It is difficult to understand how pastoralists could forget that eradication of dingoes was an essential prerequisite for unshepherded sheep.
There is interaction between these cycles through a range of carnivores (domestic dogs, feral dogs, dingoes and red foxes) which act as definitive hosts.
A canvas flap served as a door, and allowed the hutkeeper to exit rapidly if dingoes attacked the sheep.
More likely, pastoralists found that fencing, once dingoes were controlled, led to substantial savings in wages.
Each evening, the sheep walked back to the station, where they were counted back into the folds and spent the night protected against dingoes by the hutkeeper.
Chamberlain's conviction was later overturned when evidence surfaced that dingoes had indeed been responsible for the tragedy.
It is further thought that dingoes might have started to regard the food sources found (garbage cans, leftovers and handouts) as part of their territory.
During this time, dingoes may actively defend their territories using vocalisations, dominance behaviour, growling and barking.
