With wild dog nurturing pups at this time of the year, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has warned South East Queensland residents to take precautions against the pest animal.

Rural residential and residential areas, especially those backing onto large tracts of land, are at risk just as much as rural landowners, according to Biosecurity Queensland Principal Land Protection Officer Clyde McGaw.

"The wild dog whelping season means wild dogs will have pups on the ground," Mr McGaw said.

"Wild dogs roam up to 12 kilometres and have territories that vary from 10 to 70 square kilometres, depending on food and water availability. In the highly residential South East they don´t need to travel far to find food.

"Wild dogs can kill and maim livestock and pets such as ducks, chickens and sheep, so protect your animals and pets from the threat."

Control programs recommended by the DPI&F are limited in urbanised areas and, while some techniques can work, a more cooperative effort is needed.

"Proactive action on pest control can prevent harm to livestock and pets," Mr McGaw said.

He stressed the importance of involving neighbours in control programs.

"Isolated control campaigns can increase wild dog attacks as they create recolonising opportunities for younger, inexperienced hunters. These younger wild dogs are much more likely to attack easier prey, such as livestock, than native animals like kangaroos that are harder for them to catch.

"This is why coordinated control with support from neighbours is so important."

He said advising neighbours prior to any baiting programs was critical as it allowed precautionary steps to be taken to ensure domestic pets were restrained from straying into baiting areas.

"Property owners not taking part in pest animal control need to appreciate the potential devastation this can have on neighbouring properties.

"It can result in the loss of domestic animals through disease and predation, and increase the pressure on remnant native animal populations."

Fact sheets on wild dog management in settled areas are available to download from the DPI&F website.

For information on the dates of coordinated baiting campaigns or to join a coordinated baiting campaign, contact your local regional council pest management officer or DPI&F land protection officer on 13 25 23.

Media contact: Caroline Dalton, + 617 3239 13233
caroline.dalton@dpi.qld.gov.au