By Richard Bruinsma

A 26kg wild dog that was captured in the hills at Dulong has helped highlight just how significant the feral dog problem has become.

The wild dog appeared to be a cross between a dingo and a domestic breed, but its weight was almost double the average weight of a pure dingo, which highlights the potential danger caused by mixed breeding.

The bigger the dogs, combined with any lack of fear of humans, means the cross breeds potentially present a significant risk to people as well as livestock.

“Hybridisation between wild dogs and dingoes has been an ongoing occurrence for many years,” a Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said.

“On the Sunshine Coast, studies have shown trapped dogs have returned varying DNA purity levels.

“The average wild dog trapped on the Sunshine Coast weighs between 14-20kg, with larger specimens – between 20kg and 25kg - captured sporadically.

“We have had occurrences of large 40kg-plus dogs removed from the Coast region; these animals are likely domestic breeds that have been lost or dumped, and become wild over a period of time.”

The Sunshine Valley Gazette has sporadically raised the issue of wild dogs – particularly those who have bred with dingoes.

“In some situations, wild dogs will develop a level of habitualisation – where they become less wary of humans and human activity,” the Council spokesman said.

“In most cases of this happening, it has been due to humans feeding wild dogs or leaving food sources accessible to wild dogs.

“The risk to public safety remains with interactions between humans and wild animals that have lost or reduced fear of people; it is important to note that wild animals - especially young animals - are dangerous at all times.

“Young wild animals are often inquisitive but wary, meaning they may stand their ground and watch your movements or activity, but they will normally maintain a safe distance and often move off if approached.”

Sunshine Coast Council does provide advice and support for landowners with wild dog problems, including “setting up trapping and monitoring equipment, monitoring and assessment of wild dog activity, on-site property assessments and advice on how to prevent wild dog impacts”.

“Landholders can prevent wild dog impacts by ensuring good practices and stock control are in place,” the spokesperson said.

“Locking stock in paddocks close to homesteads, having dog-proof fencing in place and ensuring refuse bins are closed are just some of the measures residents can take to minimise their exposure.

“Council spends approximately $1.2m per financial year on feral animal education, monitoring, prevention and control programs.

“Council monitors outcomes of control programs and in some areas wild dogs have been absent for long periods, however we must be vigilant and remain responsive and more importantly proactive and strategic in our approach to wild dogs and all feral animal species.”

To comment on this story – or any other story – email a letter to the editor to editorial@svgazette.com.au