Post date: Jun 12, 2012 7:7:3 AM
A court in Australia rules a wild dog was responsible for the death of an infant 32 years ago. Julie Noce reports.
AUSTRALIA-DINGO VERDICT - A dingo is to blame for the death of a baby girl 32 years ago-- that's the ruling from an Australian court in a case that gripped the nation and the world.
Azaria Chamberlain was nine weeks old when a dingo took her from her parents tent while on a camping trip. Her body was never found.
The coroner gave an emotional apology as she read the verdict to the family.
ELIZABETH MORRIS, NORTHERN TERRITORY CORONER SAYING:
"Azaria Chamberlain died at Uluru, then known as Ayers Rock, on the 17th of August 1980. The cause of her death was as the result of being attacked and taken by a dingo.
"Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of your special and loved daughter and sister Azaria. I am so sorry for your loss."
Azaria's mother, Lindy Chamberlin Creighton, who was jailed for three years over her daughter's death before being cleared, spoke outside the court.
LINDY CHAMBERLAIN-CREIGHTON, AZARIA'S MOTHER SAYING:
"No longer will Australia be able to say that dingoes are not dangerous and only attack if provoked. We live in a beautiful country but it is dangerous and we would ask all Australians to be aware of this and take appropriate precautions and not wait for somebody else to do it for them."
The cause of death on Azaria's death certificate has been officially changed.
Julie Noce, Reuters