Pest animals

All residents have a General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014. This means that you need to ensure that your activities do not spread a pest, disease or contaminant and that you:

  • take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent or minimise each biosecurity risk
  • minimise the likelihood of the risk causing a biosecurity event and limit the consequences of such an event
  • prevent or minimise the adverse effects the risk could have and refrain from doing anything that might make harmful effects worse.

Prohibited and restricted species

In Queensland pest species are divided into two different classes:

Prohibited species is a noxious fish or pest animal that is not found in Queensland. If it was to enter Queensland it would seriously impact our health, way of life, the economy and the environment.

If you find prohibited species you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.

Restricted species can be a noxious fish or pest animal that are found in Queensland. Specific measures are required to be taken that limit the impact of these species by reducing, controlling or containing it.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has further information on the Queensland legislative requirements for restricted (pest) animal species.

Restricted species in the region

Pest animals classified as restricted species commonly found in the region include:

Pest animal Category
Wild dog 3, 4, 6
European fox 3, 4, 5, 6
European rabbit 3, 4, 5, 6
Feral cat 3, 4, 5, 6
Feral pig 3, 4,6
Feral Rusa deer 3, 4, 6
Red-eared slider turtle 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Yellow crazy ant (tramp ant) 3
 Fire ant 1 - Prohibited 

Category 2 - Must be reported

Must be reported to an inspector or authorised person with 24 hours of you becoming aware of its presence. Contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

Category 3 - Must not distribute

This means that it must not be given as a gift, sold, traded or released into the environment unless the distribution or disposal is authorised under a permit.

Category 4 - Must not move

You must not move this restricted species to ensure that it is not spread to other areas.

Category 5 - Must not possess or keep

These pests have a high risk of negatively impacting on the environment. You may only keep this restricted species under a permit from Biosecurity Queensland.

Category 6 - Must not feed

Feeding this restricted species may cause their numbers to increase and negatively impact the economy or the environment. Feeding for the purpose of preparing for or undertaking a control program is exempt.

Wild dog reporting

The term ‘wild dog’ refers to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released and now live in the wild.

Wild dog sightings

Residents are requested to provide as much information as possible including date, location, description, activity and damaged caused.

Submit details online

Wild dog attack or sighting

Information you provide will ensure that Council’s Pest Animal Management Officers can initiate management techniques in target areas.

Moreton Bay Region is one of many areas in South East Queensland that has a resident wild dog / dingo population.

Wild dogs cause stock and domestic animal losses and prey on native wildlife such as koalas. They are territorial animals, which often causes conflict when they meet 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.

Wild dogs, by nature appear thin and to residents may appear 'skinny and malnourished'. Under no circumstances should wild dogs be fed by residents. Do not leave domestic dog food in areas that wild dogs can access and pick up any fallen fruit from orchids/trees.

Management programs

Council has extensive wild dog / dingo management programs in place to assist landholders in dealing with wild dog / dingo conflicts.

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 Council actively trap and remove problem wild dogs from the environment, it is essential that you do not attract these dogs to your property and to remember that it is your responsibility to manage wild dogs on your land.

1080 coordinated wild dog regional baiting program

City of Moreton Bay conducts coordinated wild dog 1080 baiting programs in liaison with landowners at strategic times throughout the year. The aim of this program is to manage the population of wild dogs and limit attacks on livestock, domestic and native animals. 

Prior to program occurring:

  • roadside signage will be installed to ensure visitors to the area are aware of the program
  • notification letters will be sent to all properties within 1km of a baiting zone.

To participate in the program, properties must meet State Government legislative requirements.

Baits are not placed on roadsides or Council reserves. In addition, only landowners who meet the State Government legislative requirements and are approved to be part of the baiting program will have baits placed on their private property.

Australia’s native mammals, birds and reptiles have developed much higher tolerance to 1080 than introduced animals, as they evolved with naturally occurring 1080 in native plants.

The 1080 dose rates and bait size for wild dogs are specific, which assists in reducing impacts to non-target species. 

1080 is toxic to domestic dogs and it is essential that during baiting session, that domestic dogs are not allowed to roam. Council also recommends property owners within the baiting zone to muzzle working dogs, to ensure that they do not come in contact with baits.

If you would like to participate in the program or for further information, contact Council.

What Council is doing

Council recognises the impact pest animals have on residents and the environment and understands the complexity of pest animal control.

Full-time Pest Animal Management Officers work with residents throughout the region to reduce the impact of major pest species.

Council officers coordinate and implement management operations using best practice methods including the mapping of pest animal activity, monitoring the incidence of their impact and the removal of pest animals from the environment.

If you have a pest animal management matter that requires attention, contact Council.