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Public Warned Against Removing Dog Traps

Recently a significant number of capture devices used to control wild dogs have disappeared from where they have been set.

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th October 2007 - Back to News

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) staff are concerned that in untrained hands these devices have the potential to cause harm.

DPI Community Engagement Officer for Wild Dogs, Vaughn Kingston said any trap that is stolen may have been the one that was going to end the wild dog activity on a given property.

"Wild Dog Controllers use specialised techniques and capture devices to track and trap wild dogs.

"These staff are highly trained and experienced in the use of these devices which are an important part of their "toolkit" for reducing wild dog activity," Mr Kingston said.

Traps sets are based on where dogs move through the landscape including the edges of tracks. All areas trapped are sign-posted to ensure the public are aware of the tracks that are being utilised for wild dog control.

Senior Wild Dog Controllers can provide more detailed information on the location of traps. Contact details for the Senior Wild Dog Controllers can be obtained from DPI and DSE offices throughout Gippsland.

"If members of the public come across the capture devices they should leave them alone and not handle or interfere with them in any way.

"If there is an animal in the trap, please don't make any attempt to free it, as this could cause more harm to the animal and to the person," Mr Kingston said.

"Our staff have been specially trained in the correct operation of these devices and are the only people qualified to handle them."

DPI takes the theft of capture devices very seriously and has reported the latest incidences to police.

Each capture device used in the wild dog control program has a unique code number that identifies the trap and the location in which it is set.

"The loss of any trap not only impacts on the efficiency of the Wild Dog Controllers work but also the productivity of the landholders that reported the stock losses to DPI," Mr Kingston said.

If you are aware of any activities impacting on the wild dog program please call you local DPI/DSE office to report it.

For information on the Gippsland Wild Dog Program contact Vaughn Kingston, DPI Community Engagement Officer on (03) 5155 1539.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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