Professional Wild Dog Controller Program reaches major milestone
17 Aug 2021
Landholders involved in the Professional Wild Dog Controller (PWDC) Program have recently achieved a major milestone with the hundredth wild dog removed from the landscape.
The Program, which is coordinated by Western Local Land Services, has involved six PWDCs working with local landholders to control wild dogs, as well as increase landholder capacity with regards to identifying wild dog sign, understand wild dog behaviours and management options.
To the end of July 2021, the Program, which was launched in February 2020, has seen 103 wild dogs controlled, as well as 48 feral pigs, eight feral cats and four foxes.
Western Local Land Services Regional Pest Animal Coordinator, Phil Baird, congratulated the landholders and PWDCs involved for achieving the feat.
“This innovative Program has been a great addition to the wild dog management tools available to landholders and it’s been great to see it so well supported, and ultimately, so successful to date,” Mr Baird said.
“Well done to the landholders from 37 properties that have had a PWDC on their property, and to the properties that have registered to be involved.
“For those yet to be involved in the Program, there is currently an initiative running where landholders can have a PWDC visit their property for a day for no charge.
“The purpose of the free trapper for a day is to increase the capacity of landholders to identify wild dog sign and discuss management options.
“To find out more about this opportunity or the Program in general, landholders should speak with their local biosecurity officer or contact Western Local Land Services today.”
Landholders wanting to be involved or find out more can contact the Program’s dedicated administration officer on 0409 677 897 or PWDC@lls.nsw.gov.au, or their local biosecurity officer via 1300 795 299 or by clicking here.
Funding for the PWDC Program is through the Australian Government’s ‘Communities Combatting Pest Animals and Weed Impacts During Drought’ Program.
Media contact: Charlie Whiteley, Western Local Land Services, 0428 679 974.