Wild dogs dead after taking poisoned bait on Sunshine Coast

MORE than 350 wild dogs and foxes are believed to have been killed as part of a controversial poison-baiting program on the Sunshine Coast.

Wild dog baiting

MORE than 350 wild dogs and foxes are believed to have been killed as part of a controversial poison-baiting program on the Sunshine Coast.

The council-run program, which used the poison 1080, was conducted over a 10-day period in mainly hinterland areas near Pomona, Kin Kin, Kenilworth, Maleny, Beerwah and Little Mountain.

While residents understand large feral cross-breed animals are a threat to wildlife, pets and campers, the community on Noosa's North Shore was polarised by the use of the substance known as "a slow killer".

There has been 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.

The program finished last Thursday and the council provided The Courier-Mail with results that show almost half of the 750 baits were taken.

A council spokesman said that camera and track monitoring indicated wild dogs and foxes had taken the baits.

Any animal that consumed the baited, tied and buried meat would die within a week. All baits not taken were destroyed after seven days.

The Noosa North Shore stations had a "90 per cent uptake".

"Almost 3000 residences were notified directly where required (within 2km of baits)," the council spokesman said.

Fisherman Terry Green was among those who'd been furious at the "extreme measure".

One Noosa resident said he was happy the wild dogs had been killed as he had seen a pack "rip a kangaroo apart" right in front of his eyes.

The next program is planned for April/May next year.

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