Western professional wild dog controller program

Wild dogs prey on livestock causing significant impacts to primary production and other agricultural resources. Additionally, wild dogs impact native fauna and spread disease that affects livestock, native animals, pets and people.

This program commenced in 2020 and continues to assist landholders in accessing professional wild dog trappers at a subsidised rate to control wild dogs on their property, using recognised best practice control techniques. This program is building on already existing wild dog control activities undertaken by Western Local Land Services and pest management groups.

videocam 2:08

Close(Press escape to close)

Video transcript

Trapping wild dogs in Western NSW

We've had the professional wild dog controller program running since January 2020 and so far we've taken out at least 70 dogs through that landscape.

This is a program where landholders have the opportunity to get in touch with a trapper and get it at a subsidised rate to help encourage the use of a trapper on their land. It really helps clean up any dogs that perhaps their baiting hasn't picked up, or it's a great opportunity for organic status properties to still be doing their dog control.

It's a great way for them to really understand what they're seeing on their property and what pest animals are actually out there. The pest animal controllers are also trolling any pigs they see. If they happen to see a fox or a cat as well, we've developed the trapper for a day program.

This is a program where landholders have a free day where they can get a trapper come in and really help try and educate them, help them be more aware of what sign may or may not be on their country, and then work out if they need to be doing more baiting or if they need to be using a trapper more often.

So, you know, if there's any property owners out there, or anyone really that's got an interest in the wild dog program and they're not sure if they've got dogs or not, definitely get in touch with your local LLS biosecurity officer. We can come around with you, we can spend the day, and then we can work out a battle plan from there.

When we go to places, we definitely want the property owners with us, the managers, whoever's looking after the property. We definitely want to drive around with them and spend all day with them so we can point out and show them what to look for. So next time they go out on their water run or, you know, checking the sheep, they know exactly what they're looking for. They can find out the dog sign, get on to LLS and get one of the boys out and see if we can do something about trapping them.

Project objectives

The program is supporting:

• landholders to access professional wild dog trappers to control wild dogs on their property at a subsidised rate
• landholders to increase their awareness, knowledge and in some instances capacity to trap and control wild dogs on their property
• an integrated approach to wild dog control through a range of control methods.

How to get involved

Project eligibility

To become involved in this project, a landholder must:

• be a Western Local Land Services ratepayer
• have no outstanding debt with Local Land Services
• have undertaken ground baiting for wild dogs within the past 6 months, or provide proof of organic certification
• sign a Property Access and Permission form which allows access for the controller and for any pest animal within the Western Regional Strategic Pest Animal Plan to be controlled if the opportunity arises
• agree to pay $60 per hour for the time the trapper is on the landholder’s property.

Landholders are eligible for up to 100 hours of trappers through the program. Use of the trappers for more than 100 hours is at the discretion of Western Local Land Services.

How can landholders apply?

Interested landholders can contact their local biosecurity officer who will discuss their wild dog issues and the program with them by calling 1300 795 299 or emailing admin.western@lls.nsw.gov.au

The biosecurity officer will confirm the landholder meets the eligibility criteria and can support the landholder to complete the Property Access and Permission form.

The biosecurity officer then contacts a trapper who has been engaged through the program and forwards the Property Access and Permission form for the trapper to accept the job.

Once eligibility is confirmed and the Property Access and Permission form has been completed, landholders can liaise with a Western Local Land Services biosecurity officer to commence a professional wild dog trapper on their property through the program.

The trapper and landholder will then liaise on timing, with the trapper keeping LLS informed. The biosecurity officer will reach out to neighbours to let them know a trapper will be in the area if they are also interested in utilising their services through the program.

Additionally, landholders also wanting to bait on their property can seek advice and support from the biosecurity officer regarding this.

Related information

• Wild dog control
• Bait collection in the Western region