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Wild dog

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Wild dog

Photograph of a dingo seen cowering behind a wire mesh fence
Wild dog (Canis familiaris)
Photograph of a dingo standing alert side on to camera in scrubland
Coat colour varies


General information

The term 'wild dog' (Canis familiaris) refers collectively to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids, and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released. In central southern Queensland a wild dog barrier fence protects 26.5 million hectares of sheep and cattle country from wild dog attacks.

The wild dog is a Class 2 declared animal under Queensland legislation. It is the responsibility of landholders to control wild dogs on their land.

Scientific name

Canis familiaris
Impacts
  • predation of livestock and native animals
  • reduced livestock performance
  • spread of disease
Description
  • dingoes, hybrid dingoes and domestic dogs that have escaped or been released
Habitat and life cycle
  • found throughout Queensland
  • in far western areas most wild dogs/dingoes are purebred
  • close to settled areas there is a greater number of dingoes crossed with feral domestic dogs
Control
  • different control methods including shooting, trapping, fencing, baiting and livestock guardian dogs combined with land management practices is most effective
  • can be controlled outside national parks and other protected areas
  • watch the wild dog trapping method video
  • see the wild dog control fact sheet for further information
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 2 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • landholders are required to control declared pests on their land
Further information
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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 29 November 2011

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