Possum attacks dog on Gold Coast in own backyard

A Gold Coast dog owner says she is being forced to keep her pooch inside her house because an “aggressive” possum in the neighbourhood is terrorising it.

A GOLD Coast dog owner says she is being forced to keep her pooch inside her house because an “angry” possum in the neighbourhood is terrorising it.

Shiela Murray says she has spent $700 on vet bills after her Cattle dog/Corgie cross Chess had his chest ripped open seven weeks ago.

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Pictured at her Carara home Ms Shelia Murray and Her dog Chess age 7. Chess was attacked by a possum and she has gone to every level of government trying to remove it for fear her dog Chess will be attacked again. Pic Mike Batterham

DOG ATTACKS AND KILLS PUPPY ON GOLD COAST

She has written to animal rescue groups, the council and State Government demanding the aggressive critter be removed, but because it is a protected species the furthest they can move it is 25m.

Aware of Ms Murray’s plight, wildlife experts have suggested she simply train her dog to avoid possums.

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Chess was attacked in his Carrara backyard on April 25.

“The cut was so deep you could put a finger in it,” Ms Murray said. “He was in a lot of pain.”

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The gash made by a possum in Chess the dog's chess.

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The injury resulted in eight stitches and an overnight surgery stay.

“All we want is for our dog to have his life back, being a safe outdoor dog.

“We hope someone will tell us how to get some assurances that Chess will be safe in our own back yard.”

An animal rescue group told Ms Murray they could not move an uninjured animal.

Pest control told her she would face a bill of up to $500 to have the possum moved a maximum of 25 metres, a requirement under state regulations.

Area councillor Bob La Castra said he had sought advice from animal management, which said as the animal was on private property and a native species, it could not be involved.

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Chess the dog recovering after he was injured by a possum.

POSSUM SNAKE SHOWDOWN CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Ms Murray then contacted the Department of Environment and Science (DES), which reiterated the 25m rule.

She also published a notice in the neighbourhood watch newsletter to ensure others were aware of the possum.

“I love possums myself, but I have not seen one like this one. He is violent. It seems lost and is clearly looking for food.

“I am still searching for an answer. I am trying to do the right thing. I don’t want the possum to get hurt or my dog to get hurt again, but everywhere I go I get directed to someone else.”

Russell Francis, a specialist in the relocation of wildlife, said another approach may be necessary.

“In my experience with possums, to move them on you need to take away the reasons why they are there in the first place,” said Mr Francis, who owns the business Mr Possum.

“Usually they are only aggressive if they are bailed up and believe they have a problem and they will fight, but it isn’t a common thing.

“Maybe the solution is getting the dog trained to avoid the possum.”