Poison-baiting program targeting wild dogs on Noosa's North Shore splits community

A POISON-baiting program targeting wild dogs on Noosa's ecologically sensitive North Shore has split the tiny hamlet.

A POISON-baiting program targeting wild dogs on Noosa's ecologically sensitive North Shore has split the tiny hamlet.

A Sunshine Coast Council sign went up yesterday warning a "1080 Baiting Program" had begun to kill wild dogs seen roaming the area.

While most locals understand the large feral cross-breed animals are a threat to wildlife, pets and potentially campers, the community is polarised by the use of a poison known to be "a slow killer".

There has been lingering debate about the humaneness of 1080, first used against rabbits in Tasmania in 1952 and now widely used in Australia and New Zealand to control pests.

Fisherman Terry Green said he was outraged at the "extreme measure".

"Animals die slowly in the most ghastly way because of this poison. I have seen what it does to them and it's horrifying," he said.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said it was "torture" and as an animal lover, she was furious to learn of the program.