Verges Creek man Troy Irwin is hopeful that a “terrific turn out” at a wild dog meeting will kick start action against the feral animals in the Macleay Valley.
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Representatives from NSW National Parks and Local Land Services (LLS) joined concerned residents at the Belmore River Hall on Tuesday to discuss management of the animals.
Troy said the Macleay Valley had been a victim of “gross neglect for a long time”.
“Why we haven’t done anything about it (the wild dog problem) before is beyond me.”
However, he’s confident the meeting will result in co-ordinated action between landholders in the area.
“The motivation is there now for everyone to link up and get the job done.”
Troy said that the meeting had provided a pathway forward for the management of wild dog numbers, with 1080 poison baiting “the most cost effective way”.
“Talking won’t kill the dogs and monitoring won’t kill the dogs,” he said.
“LLS and national parks simply need to put more baits in the ground.”
Troy’s confident that if action isn’t taken, livestock losses won’t be the only concerning result.
“The only reason we haven't had a fatality is more luck than anything else,” he said.
Tips for hindering wild dogs:
- Burn or otherwise dispose of dead cattle and other livestock so wild dogs can't use them as a food source.
- Clear road kill, another food source.
- If shooting kangaroos, destroy or move the carcasses so wild dogs can’t feed on them.
