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Residents are requested to submit as much information as possible on any sightings of wild dogs and/or attacks, including the date, location, description, activity and damage caused.
Information received by you will ensure that Council's Pest Animal Mangement Officers can initiate management techniques in target areas.
Wild dog information
Wild dog refers to Dingoes, their hybrids and unowned dogs living in a wild state. Wild dogs/Dingoes are declared pest animals in Queensland under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Moreton Bay Regional Council is one of many areas in SouthEast Queensland that has a resident Wild dog/Dingo population.
Wild dog/Dingoes are territorial animals, which often causes conflict when they come into contact with domestic dogs, resulting in injury or death to the domestic dog.
Although a large range of prey is taken by Wild dogs/Dingoes, they are generally specialist hunters and often cause conflict with landholders as they prey upon domestic pets, poultry, calves, sheep and goats.
Moreton Bay Regional Council has extensive Wild dog/Dingo Management programs in place to assist landholders in dealing with Wild dog/Dingo conflicts. These officers also work closely with Officers from State Government departments and neighbouring Council's to ensure that issues are approached from a regional perspective.
Although Moreton Bay Regional Council actively trap and remove problem wild dogs from the environment it is essential that you do not attract these dogs to your property. The following checklist will help keep wild dogs out of your property.
Property checklist
- Does my fencing require modification?
If your pet is able to wander through the fence to a neighbouring property/roadside, then wild dogs will be able to similarly enter your property. Do not allow wild dogs on your property and run the risk of attack. Keep your pets secured in a wild dog proof enclosure/area.
- Do you know where your domestic pet is?
Your pet should be secured to your property and not left to wander the neighbourhood unattended.
- When walking my pet, is it on a lead?
Pets walked off leash are not considered to be under effective control. Under Council's Local Law, it is an offence to walk domestic animals off leash, unless it is in a designated 'off leash park/area'.
- Are my livestock safe?
Wild dogs are attracted to livestock as they represent a readily available food source. Where you believe that your livestock are at risk of attack, secure the animals in suitable enclosures or move them to a more secure area.
- Am I providing an alternative food source?
Wild dogs will be attracted to domestic dog food left out and also any fallen fruit from trees and shrubs. Do not leave domestic dog food in areas that wild dogs can access and pick up any fallen fruit from orchids/trees.
Wild dogs, by nature appear thin and to residents may appear 'skinny and malnourished'. Under no circumstances should wild dogs be fed by residents. The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 details fines of to $3000 for persons knowingly feeding wild dogs.
Related documents
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Dog Aware Kit
Section 1 - Background
Section 2 - Planning
Section 3 - Control Methods
Related links