I am encouraged about the progress made by some groups dealing with the wild dog issue in Australia. Our Cooperative Research Centre supports a National Wild Dog Coordinator, Greg Mifsud, out of Queensland Biosecurity. Greg is well supported by a National Wild Dog Management Committee and they are achieving a lot, for example, local councils helping with the cost of doggers that have ended up with producers returning to sheep production in a few areas. Other good things are afoot - the recent WA Government injection of $8 million in assistance.
But it is still a frustrating area. Sheep producers in some parts of the country are suffering horrific losses of livestock and it takes a toll on much more than just the sheep. It is an emotional toll, it drags the whole community down and it must make people wonder why they stay in farming (quite a few don't - dog attack is sometimes the straw that breaks the camel's back).
Keva Gocher, an ABC journalist in Southern New South Wales has brought hundreds of wild dog stories to the attention of her audience and I've pointed to her work before. Her You Tube video of dog attack stories is embedded below and says much more than a thousand words.
Posted by Tony Peacock, founder of 'Feral Thoughts'
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