Wild dogs have been a problem in Australia since the middle of the 19th century and have been trapped, shot and baited to reduce their impact on farm livestock since then. Wild dogs include dingoes and hybrid animals that prey on livestock in agricultural and pastoral areas.
Wild dog predation on sheep has long been recognised, but there is also evidence that dogs, hunting in packs, can bring down calves and even full-grown cows. Wild dogs hunt in packs and cause significant losses to small and large native wild-life.
Impact of wild dogs:
Wild dog predation on livestock and native wildlife is a considerable national problem. Agricultural producers in Queensland claim that thousands of sheep have been taken by increasing numbers of wild dog attacks, driving some producers out of the industry.
Wild dogs also impact on native environments by:
- hunting native animals;
- breeding with purebred dingoes, causing the hybridisation of this “native” species;
- carrying diseases and parasites; and
- competing with native carnivores, such as quolls.
Wild dog control measures:
Fencing:
Fencing can be used to exclude wild dogs from fenced areas. The problem for controlling agencies is that dingoes, Australia’s native dog, should be conserved in the wild, but since they are predators of livestock they need to be eradicated from livestock producing areas.
The Dingo Fence is a two metre high wire fence that attempts to keep native populations of dingoes in the deep outback of Australia and away from grazing land in the eastern states. Stretching from South Australia to Queensland it is the longest fence in the world.
Fencing can effectively exclude wild dogs from entering relatively small areas in which wild dogs have been subjected to culling or eradication programmes. However, fences are expensive to maintain, and of limited usefulness in large-scale control.
Despite the dingo fence, wild dog predation of livestock and wildlife is a problem throughout Australia.
Trapping:
Trapping is time consuming and only approved soft jaw traps are permitted in some states. Its success depends on the skill of the operator. Poorly set traps allow dogs to escape and infrequent checking of traps is inhumane. Escaped wild dogs are often “trap shy”, or maimed so they can only prey on more easily caught domestic stock.
Traps are not target specific. They should not be placed near waterholes or animal paths known to be frequented by animals other than the target dogs. Trapping is predominantly used in areas with low dog populations, or to control small numbers of “problem” wild dogs.
Shooting:
Shooting can be used to control small populations of wild dogs but is not a cost effective large-scale control method.
Baiting with prepared meat meal-based baits:
Prepared meat baits, like DOGGONE® Wild Dog Bait, have a long shelf life, remain palatable to the target species, and are easily hidden from non target species by burying the baits in shallow holes.
Because DOGGONE® baits are prepared in controlled conditions, quality is consistent, and the prepared baits can be safely handled by non-specialists following the safe handling directions. When used in accordance with instructions, the effectiveness of target species take-up can be measured, and baits that haven’t been taken can be collected and safely destroyed after the programme.
Information Sourced From:
Animal Control Technologies
