More support is urgently needed for farmers suffering devastating wild dog attacks, Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, told State Parliament.
Mr Bull said the scale of losses locally is untenable, quoting an email he received only days ago:
“Hi Tim, this is getting very frustrating for us. Between us and our local trapper we have trapped and shot over 27 dogs and have lost around 300 sheep just this year alone.
We have dog-proof fencing, I’m out checking cameras constantly and I’m out every night with thermal gear and it never stops.
We have seen at least another 15 dogs on our main farm cameras and five more on our other property down the road.
For the first time we’ve lost calves, so they’re not just killing sheep anymore.
Please, for the love of God, we need you to stop these idiots (pushing for greater protections).”
Mr Bull said it was incredible the Government had, earlier this year, even contemplated getting rid of the wild dog control program.
“Instead of strengthening the program, the Government has made life harder for departmental doggers, introducing mandatory 48-hour trap checks and additional administration requirements that leave them with less time in the field,” he said.
“Given the scale of losses being suffered, it is time to expand this program, increase workforce capacity and provide greater operational flexibility.”
