Dingos were an abundant and ever present threat to livestock from the earliest times of settlement in the region. One report from the 1840's from Lanyon reported one settlers burial as requiring large stones placed on top of the coffin to prevent the dogs digging up the grave. Convict shepherds basicly lived out with the flocks in their care and punishments were severe for loss of stock to dingo attack. The problem persisted for nearly the next century.
I don't know if this was a serious suggestion or just a canny way of getting their point across about the seriousness of the situation. The previous article suggested that the Minister allocated a budget for a local eradication program after receiving the suggestion. Regardless I think the idea was entertaining...
Advocate (Tasmania) - Tuesday 4 June 1929
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Using a sheep as bait in a double sectioned cage trap it would not be hard to trap dogs, or even use a trap door wolf trap. If they were serious about using hooks they were neither humane or inventive. Of course now they use poison baits which does not distinguish between ferrals & native & also targets raptors.
ReplyDeleteKeith.
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Agree Keith, I'm not big on baiting because I'm a big fan of the local Quolls and Wedgies. Cage trapping has its drawbacks though for dogs. The packs I have seen (twice) numbered on 12-18 dogs of various sizes. Dogs would learn quickly to be wary of the cage I reckon. I'm saying you would probably irregularly 'catch a few' but not enough to remove the problem.
ReplyDeleteSnaring, trapping and shooting on a sustained basis would knock them around although I suspect wherever a dog and bitch remain a litter is never far away. Lost pig dogs from the Tumut side contribute greatly too.
The first encounter on the Brindabella Valley side saw a pack in pursuit of a few Kangaroos who were belting along literally for their life through some thick old grown Mountain Ash. A sobering thought for a lone hiker. Cheers