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Farmers bordering Victoria ramp up wild dog control

A Victorian farmer has dubbed the state government ban on culling wild dogs in North West Victoria as a “defacto release” of the animals into South Australia.

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A Victorian farmer has dubbed the state government ban on culling wild dogs in North West Victoria as a “defacto release” of the animals into South Australia.

Meanwhile, a South Australian peak body is hoping for further funding, or Maremma sheep dogs to help deter attacks.

Box Flat Wild Dog Control Committee chair Richard Halliday, Callowie Poll Merino, farms 18 kilometres from the state border, and said Victoria’s current conditions were a “big concern”.

“As far as I know, dogs don’t carry a compass and a map,” he said.

He said farmers had recently shot a wild dog on their side of the border, which had been sent for DNA testing.

The group had discussions about strengthening their baiting program, which aimed to protect farms, communities and the Ngarkat Conservation Park and its wildlife.

He said several farming properties operated across the border, which meant producers could only control wild dog populations in some parts of their farms.

Lawloit mixed farmer Alan Bennett, who neighbours the Big Desert, said the region’s farmers had seen continued dog activity, and believed the dogs would move into open country.

“It’s a defacto release into the country of wild dogs, that’s what it is,” he said.

“They just think they’re saving the world but they’ve thrown us under the bus.”

He said Agriculture Victoria had recently placed five cameras to monitor their farm boundary to verify the farmers’ experiences.

Mr Bennett said they were currently in the process of putting a fence up, which would be a “bandaid” solution.

Livestock SA chief executive Travis Tobin said he had written to Agriculture Minister Ros Spence requesting better collaboration between state governments.

He said the decision was made without prior consultation with the South Australian government, industry, or affected producers and communities.

“We have a bit of experience building fences to keep wild dogs out of sheep producing areas here in SA, and unless the support offered is per producer, half a million dollars won’t go far,” he said.

“Alternatively, the supporting investment would purchase about 220 Maremma sheepdogs.”

A Victorian government spokesperson said they knew livestock predation was a significant challenge for farmers, and there was currently an assessment on dingo populations underway.

“DEECA has met with South Australian counterparts to discuss our respective approaches to wild dog management and dingo conservation,” they said.

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Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/farmers-bordering-victoria-ramp-up-wild-dog-control/news-story/2360ff35752fcd813d5d131796a08f11