Penguin killings prompt new Bill

TOUGHER penalties will apply for the owners of dogs who attack penguins and other wildlife in proposed new legislation introduced by the State Government.

It comes after a spate of attacks on little penguins in recent months, including a case last month where more than 30 were killed at Doctors Rocks Conservation area near Wynyard.

More than 80 little penguins were also found dead after three dog attacks at Low Head in the past year.

Proposed amendments to the Dog Control Act 2000 include a new offence for instances where a dog injures or kills any sensitive wildlife in specified areas.

A person found guilty of this could be fined up to $5040, be liable for a range of costs incurred, and may have their dog destroyed.

The penalty for taking a dog into a prohibited area containing sensitive habitat for native wildlife will increase to $3360.

The existing penalty is up to $2600 plus potential court costs or orders.

“This approach will support local governments wishing to prohibit the entry of dogs into ecologically significant areas, such as little penguin colonies,’’ Local Government Minister Mark Shelton said.

“Following a series of dog attacks on little penguin across the state, the Government is committed to ensuring these amendments are in place ahead of the peak breeding season for little penguin over the summer months.”

Birdlife Tasmania convener Eric Woehler said the Government’s approach was welcome, but said the changes needed to be supported by local authorities because the issue was difficult to police.

“To get successful prosecutions, we need councils to do more to enforce no dog areas and for Parks and Wildlife to be given more resources to protect penguins on reserve land,’’ he said.

“We can have the best legislation in the world, but if we don’t see compliance and enforcements, we’re going to continue to have this conversation.”

The proposed changes include increased power for authorities to collect DNA samples from dogs suspected of attacks, which Dr Woehler said was important.

“This is a big step forward, because it allows authorities to collect more rigorous information that can be used for a prosecution,’’ he said.

“All of these things are really welcome and the Government is to be congratulated on taking some serious steps going forward.”

Public consultation on the proposed changes will close on September 27.