Landholders and hunters in the Merriwa region are being urged to ensure they correctly dispose of animal carcasses which may be attracting wild dogs to the area.
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Acting Invasive Species Coordinator Luke Booth is advising anyone undertaking feral pig control activities to safely dispose of carcasses to avoid drawing wild dogs into the area.
“When shooting and trapping feral pigs, landholders and hunters often leave the carcasses behind, providing an easy food source for wild dogs. This unfortunately has a devastating effect on predation,” Mr Booth said.
“This ready food source increases the likelihood of wild dogs entering the area who then prey on livestock such as sheep when this food source dries up.”
Mr Booth said feral pigs and wild dogs were an ongoing issue in the area, where aerial baiting and large scale ground baiting has recently been undertaken as part of Hunter Local Land Services’ annual autumn program.
“Many landholders have been actively shooting, baiting and trapping feral pigs in the Merriwa area with good results, however they must ensure they bury or burn all pig carcasses to avoid drawing in wild dogs. Landholders can be controlling one pest animal, while inadvertently feeding another.”
Wild dogs, pigs and other feral animals can cause stock attacks and losses, along with crop and pasture damage. They can also carry and spread diseases to livestock and humans.
District Veterinarian Dr Jane Bennett said anyone hunting or trapping pigs should use protective equipment and follow recommended precautions to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
“Feral pigs can carry a number of infectious zoonotic diseases including Brucellosis, Leptospirosis and Q Fever,” Dr Bennett said.
“There are recommended precautions and guidelines for the correct handling of feral pigs which landholders and hunters should ensure they follow to protect themselves, their families and their livestock and hunting dogs from the disease risks," she said.
Mr Booth encouraged landholders to get involved with both wild dog and feral pig control activities, and to report any wild dog sightings, attacks and stock deaths by contacting their local biosecurity officer.
“Effective control of pest animals such as wild dogs and feral pigs requires a coordinated approach involving all land managers in an area,” he said.
Hunter Local Land Services provides free training, support and advice on managing pest animals.
Landholders requiring advice and assistance with feral animal control should contact Hunter Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visitwww.hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au.
