Dog a day in bounties
A DOG a day - that's roughly what Southern Downs Regional Council paid out in wild dog bounties in the past financial year.
A council spokeswoman said 366 dog bounties had been authorised in 2010-2011, equating to $36,600 in payments at $100 per bounty.
The simple but effective measure is an important element in the suite of strategies being employed in the seemingly never-ending war on this scourge of sheep and other producers.
"Bounties are only one part of a recipe of control measures for landholders that should include trapping, shooting and baiting, as well as dog-proof fencing and guardian animals if practical to the property," the spokeswoman said.
Helping at the forefront of the wild-dog problem is Cr Ross Bartley, who assists with identification of dogs and scalps that landowners provide to make their bounty claims.
Cr Bartley said he was regularly called upon to verify wild-dog bounties.
"I prefer to see the whole dog as it provides the opportunity to check on some of the aspects that are gathered for council's wild-dog database," he said.
"Some of the information that is collected relates to gender, age and location of the dog's territory.
"There are some specific traits that can clearly indicate there is a mix of dingo and domestic dog that creates unique predatory habits, which can make this type of feral pest very difficult to control."
Cr Bartley said if it was not possible to view the dog a scalp could be presented for the bounty claim.
But, he said, claimants needed to be mindful that this type of canine might carry the hydatid tapeworm, so hygiene was essential.
"The date and location of where the wild dog has been humanely despatched is required to be documented on the claim form to assist in determining where the wild dog populations are in our council region," he said.
"It is preferable that prior contact by phone be made with council so that a convenient time and place can be arranged to carry out the bounty verification."
The financial impact of wild dogs on Queensland's agricultural sector has been estimated at $70 million per year in livestock losses, diseases spread and control measures.
There are also secondary impacts on rural communities due to substitutions of sheep for cattle.
To make a claim for a dog bounty, call the Southern Downs Regional Council's Warwick office on 4661 0300 or the Stanthorpe office on 4681 5500
For more information on wild dog control methods, call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or visit biosecurity.qld.gov.au
