August 11, 2014
Toowoomba Regional Council’s next wild dog baiting campaign will run from August 25-28.
Pest Management Advisory Committee chair Cr Anne Glasheen said an integrated approach including shooting, trapping, exclusion fences, the use of herd protection animals and baiting was the most effective way to control wild dogs.
“We need rural communities to unite behind an integrated approach as the best way forward is together. The effectiveness of these campaigns is only restricted by a lack of participation,” Cr Glasheen said.
“Council has been working hard with a wide cross-section of the community and other local government and state bodies to develop a cohesive, effective wild dog plan as part of its larger Pest Management Plan for 2014-18.
“The key to its success is there is strength in numbers. We need to unite behind this and fight back against a growing number of wild dogs.”
Cr Glasheen reminded landowners they had an obligation under the Land Protection Act 2002 to control wild dogs.
“Council assists landowners … by offering a 1080 baiting service. This is co-ordinated by Council throughout the year and targets feral predator populations and timed to coincide with the biology of the target animal.”
Pest Management Advisory Committee member Cr Nancy Sommerfield said land holders needed to take advantage of these co-ordinated campaigns.
“There are a lot of young dogs around at the moment and we rely on landholders for their local knowledge,” she said. “They know their properties, the best locations to place the baits and how many baits they will need,” Cr Soomerfield said.
“The more land-holders are involved in the program the better. If a couple of landholders in an area fail to participate it not only reduces the effectiveness of the program in their area, but also creates a ripple effect across a much broader area.
“With the recent rain there will be a number of young dogs out exploring and on the move. Now is the time to do your bit and catch up with your neighbours to hit back at this menace.”
1080 is a cruel poison that kills many innocent creatures possums, eagles, magpies, currawongs, just to name a few.
The government doesn’t want you to think about this only about “wild dogs” ripping into sheep and calves.
The point is the deaths of sheep and calves matter more than the deaths of the native animals only because people (I mean National Party voters) make money out of sheep and calves. They haven’t figured out yet how to make money out of quolls and peregrine falcons.
Notice how they always say “wild dogs” not “dingoes”. They don’t want people overseas to think we are poisoning our unique native wildlife.
They also talk about “young dogs” not “pups”. If they used “puppy”, people might feel squeamish about poisoning cute little Rover.
Stop demonising Australian nature! Put up fences and learn to live with Australian wildlife or pack up your European animals and go back to England!!!
They say “wild dogs” as a general term it includes, hybrid dogs and domestic dogs gone feral/wild. The pure blooded dingo is rapidly phasing out because of cross breeding. Farmers don’t just chuck baits out anywhere, they are placed in particular spots where these mongrels are often in attendance to increase chances of targeting the problem dog/s.
Livestock are a primary income for some so, a dead sheep or cow as a result of dogs = no income from that beast. Dogs are killing profits and no profits means no protective FENCES as you say or any other form of stock protection. Not to mention the suffering cattle and sheep go through. These cross bred things can do a lot more damage to nature then the pure dingo.
Go back under your rock and invest time in making a living from quolls and falcons.
I’m sure these pests that people on the land are trying to control will kill all of your quolls. Disease and viruses are also an issue. We are not only protecting livestock but also Australia’s native animals, re-educate yourself with that one!