Thursday, 28 April 2016
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has announced a major regional on-ground offensive against wild dogs during this autumn season, providing great relief to local livestock producers across the region.
Mr Marshall said wild dogs were a significant issue for many of our farmers causing more than $11 million worth of damage to the state’s primary industries sector every year.
“The costs associated with wild dog attacks are not only confined to losses from livestock deaths. Injured livestock also require treatment and supervision leading to further costs for farmers,” Mr Marshall said.
“In order to combat the devastating impact that wild dogs have in the Northern Tablelands, the government has put in place a comprehensive program to support around 3,000 properties across the state.
“The program will include laying more than 228,000 ground baits over 12 million hectares of land, spreading more than 7,200 kilometres of aerial baits and conducting around 100 training courses for landholders across the state.
“This year, dog movements will also be tracked using GPS collars as part of a research project in the Tumut and Tumbarumba districts. This project will help improve the effectiveness of future baiting and trapping activities.
“I know local farmers in the Northern Tablelands will be glad to see we are taking this issue seriously. This comprehensive package provides them with the tools they need to protect their properties and livestock.”
Mr Marshall said a wide range of activities had been tailored to meet the needs of the Northern Tableland communities, with the equivalent of 42 full-time Local Land Services Staff assisting property owners across the state to undertake baiting and use canid pest ejectors.
Wild dogs are classified as pests in NSW and include feral dogs, dingoes, hybrids, and any dog living in the wild.
For more information on activities in your region, contact your local LLS office or visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-control/wild-dogs