With future funding of the wild dog control program uncertain past October this year, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is this week launching a petition to secure its future.

“What I am calling on is for the Minister to end the uncertainty around the program and announce its continuation unchanged,” he said.

The petition calls for the “urgent need to recommit to the wild dog control program, and requests:

• The three kilometre buffer zone for controlling dogs be retained without alteration,
• All control measures currently available to doggers be retained without alteration,
• The annual publishing of the number and location of wild dogs euthanized by doggers, and
• The annual publishing of stock losses and reports made by community members in relation to wild dog attacks.

“There is a clear lack of understanding of the importance of the program in this city-centric government, they really have no idea of the impact on the ground,” said Mr Bull.

“Time and again I have explained that to remove the three kilometre buffer zone (an area where doggers can undertake controls on public land adjacent to private freehold) would spell disaster.

“Once a dog is on private land it is too late, and it is impossible to trap a dog in an open paddock. Whereas in the land adjacent to freehold, the doggers can effectively trap on the tracks and trails the dogs use.

“The government also believes the solution lies in farmers installing better fencing and while there is no doubt this is a big part of controls, it cannot be solely relied upon.

“We have falling branches, sambar deer, wombats and other factors that bring fences down, so we need every option available.”

Mr Bull said the petition would be made available both in hard copy and online and anyone who wanted some sheets should contact his office.

To sign the petiton, please go to https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/victorias-wild-dog-program/.

Tuesday, 11 June 2024