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Farmers wild over killer dogs
17 May 2004
Gippsland farmers are angry over a decision by the Victorian Government to stop funding to dog trappers. The trappers, employed by the Government, are set to be abandoned as the Bushfire Recovery Fund ends on June 30. The number of trappers will fall from 25 to 17 statewide, with as few as two in East Gippsland.
Frustrated farmers are already guarding livestock day and night in the face of a wild dog epidemic and believe the decision will severely harm Victorian farming. One Tallangatta farmer said the dogs are "efficient killing machines" which go for sheep, bandicoots, kangaroos, lyrebirds - anything. Another farmer, from Benambra, said he has lost about 230 sheep in one year, while a Wulgulmerang farmer said her farm has lost nearly 2,000 sheep in 12 months, with the dogs "just pouring out of the bush".
The Government confirmed that up to eight trappers would not have their contracts renewed, but said it's conducting research to get a better overall picture of the problem.
Herald Sun, 15/5/04, page 11.
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