Qld: New Qld strategy to limit damage done by wild dogs

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2009
Qld: New Qld strategy to limit damage done by wild dogs

BRISBANE, April 27 AAP - Queensland will tackle a $33 million a year problem for the
grazing industry by putting the bite on wild dogs.

Premier Anna Bligh, who chaired a cabinet meeting at Highfields, north of Toowoomba
on Monday, said damage done by wild dogs was an increasingly serious issue for Queensland
graziers, especially sheep producers.

She said former Agforce chief Peter Kenny had delivered a report on the issue recommending
that the effort, which has been scattered across local government areas, be amalgamated.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said wild dogs destroyed native species, spread
disease, attacked farmed animals and diluted the gene pool of the dingo.

Ms Bligh said Queensland would appoint a wild dog advisory committee to develop and
implement a new strategy.

"We will put in place a wild dog management group which will oversee the implementation,"

she said.

"We will put dedicated DPI (Department of Primary Industries) officers and a coordinator
in place.

"And importantly we'll be out working with better science and better coordination across
council areas and across the properties that are affected to get a much better result
for all producers."

Research has shown wild dogs can travel as far as 1,300km in four months.

Mr Mulherin said the research indicated the need to amend dog baiting programs.

Ms Bligh said the wild dog strategy would require strong commitment from local government,
industry, landholders and the community.

AAP stg/pjo/tnf

KEYWORD: DOGS

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.