Council traps wild dogs on Castle Hill
Date published: 31 January 2017
Townsville City Council’s land protection officers have trapped the two wild dogs responsible for an attack on a pet in the Belgian Gardens area early last week.
Health and Environment Committee chairman Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said the dogs had been captured in bushland on Castle Hill.
“The successful use of camera surveillance has resulted in the capture of both wild dogs and they have since been euthanized,” Cr Greaney said.
“Cameras are still in place on the hill and monitoring will continue.
“I’d urge residents to report any wild dog activity or sightings straight away and to ensure their pets are securely fenced at home at all times to safeguard against attacks.
“Last week’s attack was very distressing for the pet’s owner, and the swift work of council staff and the contractor they engaged has ensured the wild dogs responsible pose no further threat.”
Council has a highly proactive wild dog program and engages a professional contractor twice a year to carry out trapping in bushland corridors in Townsville’s environs.
Trapping is conducted at strategic times of the year before and after breeding cycles to reduce wild dog impacts.
Land protection staff also carry out year round monitoring, investigations and targeted trapping of aggressive wild dogs in response to reports from residents in areas including Castle Hill.
A total of around 130 wild dogs are trapped each year.
Late last year two dogs were caught on Castle Hill, one of which followed an attack on a pet.
Surveillance cameras have been used on Castle Hill to monitor activity over the past three years.
The council also carries out wild dog management each year in rural areas in conjunction with land holders and government agencies.
