Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 2
Number 2 March-April, 1953 Article 6
3-1953
Dingo and wild dog destruction Dingo and wild dog destruction
A G. Moore
Department of Agriculture
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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Moore, A G. (1953) "Dingo and wild dog destruction," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol2/iss2/6
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DINGO AND WILD DOG DESTRUCTION
1—Poisoning in the Breeding Areas
By A. G. MOORE, Government Vermin Control Officer in Charge of Dogging Operations in Southern Areas
I
T h a s often been said t h a t poison is the best means of destroying dingoes a n d wild dogs. Poison acts silently and does not have the frightening effect of trapping. When used properly—on a well-planned system and a t the right t i m e s — poisoning h a s given excellent results in controlling the pests.The secret of success lies in tackling the menace a t its source. If all breed- ing grounds are kept well baited it is possible to control the pests by destroy- ing all the pups.
These breeding grounds are found in outlying country. They are in places such as along rivers or creeks, near springs and around lakes and swamps.
They are wherever food and water is most plentiful and where there is suffi- cient protective cover. It is significant t h a t when new wild dogs move into an area they will usually choose exactly the same places which others have used in the past.
These localities require heavy baiting at least twice in each year and one bait- ing should always be undertaken in the spring.
TIME TO BAIT
Spring baiting is most important as this is the time when pups will be com- mencing to fend for themselves and will be searching for food. At this stage the mothers leave food about for the pups to feed upon and they soon acquire the habit of picking up pieces of meat.
NECESSITY FOR WHOLESALE BAITING
Baits should be distributed in a wholesale way each time breeding
areas are visited, so t h a t a variety will1
be available all t h e year round. As.
many baits as possible should be left to ensure t h a t if foxes or any o t h e r animals or birds take or move baits,.
some are left for wild dogs.
PREPARATION OF BAITS Brisket fat has been found to be p a r - ticularly successful for baiting purposes:
in the southern districts. If the fat is dried it will keep well in a cool climate.
A simple method of drying is to t h r e a d the pieces on to fencing wire (with one end sharpened). The wire should be- tied between trees or posts in the s h a d e in warm weather and in the sun in cool weather. The fat should be cut into- small pieces for baits, each about t h e size of pennies or lin. cubes. Strych- nine tablets may be inserted after i n - cisions have been made into t h e c e n t r e s of the baits. These tablets each contain.
half a grain of alkaloid strychnine and,.
as one-third of a grain will poison a n y dog, the tablets are very effective.
Alkaloid strychnine crystals or powder may be used if no tablets are available.
Suet and meat baits should be used in addition to provide some variety which may tempt wild dogs.
Kangaroos, emus and rabbits form a t - tractive baits. The carcases should b e
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cut into pieces and well poisoned. The pieces, particularly arms and legs, should be h u n g on trees about a foot above the ground. Limbs of trees should be snapped off and t h e bait skewered on to the "snags" which have been left.
It is much preferable to use these meat pieces in this m a n n e r t h a n to leave them to rot on the ground. If it is not possible to distribute p a r t s of k a n g - aroos and emus in this way, the whole carcases should be skinned, opened up, well poisoned and h u n g on trees.
While any dingoes or wild dogs which are actually attacking sheep will n a t u r - ally claim first attention, farmers should realise t h a t t h e places from where the animals are originating must
DINGO AND WILD DOG DESTRUCTION
The control of dingoes and wild dogs—or any other vermin—is a matter of community effort. It is quite useless for one man to de- stroy dogs on his property if his neighbours are not doing likewise.
Wild dogs will travel long distances
—they often have regular beats over big areas—and unless there is a concerted effort against them they will breed up again.
Each property owner should realise the importance of his in- dividual efforts. Regular baiting
(augmented by shooting and trap- ping where necessary) on and about each property in dog- infested areas will do much to save sheep losses and to assist in overall control.
With the Government doggers concentrating on covering the breeding areas away from settle- ment, and with farmers and Ver- min Boards dealing with dogs
be dealt with. If all infested areas a n d breeding grounds are regularly poisoned in a wholesale m a n n e r with a variety of baits, the numbers of dingoes and wild dogs will be greatly reduced. This applies particularly to pups and, if these are destroyed, eventual control is pos- sible.
The Government doggers will do everything possible to deal with t h e breeding areas, but it is obviously im- possible for them to cover all possible places. Farmers will be helping t h e doggers, and themselves, if they ensure t h a t their properties, the neighbouring country, and any suspected infested areas which they may be moving through are kept baited.
which are on or near properties, the greatest possible use will be made of the resources available.
The fact that a litter of five or more pups may be expected an- nually from each pair of dogs should always be remembered and will explain the great emphasis which is placed on keeping the Government doggers working on planned programmes to cover the breeding areas. Their expert knowledge is used to the best ad- vantage in this manner.
Although the number of Gov- ernment doggers is limited, the State is fortunate in having men with years of experience in this difficult work. Mr. A. G. Moore, the author of this series, is in im- mediate charge of all dogging operations in the southern areas.
He has spent many years in this part of the State on wild dog con- trol work and is recognised as an expert on the subject.
A. R. TOMLINSON, Chief Vermin Control Officer.
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