Dogs blamed for kill spree
DOMESTIC dogs with a “taste for blood” are being blamed for a killing spree that has left a trail of dead wallabies at a Cairns sports ground.
Wildlife rescue workers feared angry locals may have been targeting some of the estimated 1000 agile wallabies hemmed in by urban sprawl and loss of habitat at Trinity Beach sporting grounds - after several wallaby attacks on children in the district.
Three children, one an 18month-old girl, suffered deep gashes to the face, back and legs after they were kicked and clawed by territorial male bucks while scores of wallabies have been found shot, speared or mauled.
“It’s quite distressing,’’ said Cairns AFL boss Gary Young, who manages the councilowned footy park.
“We do not condone in any way vigilantes killing these wallabies or dogs hunting them. That’s just awful.
“But on the other hand we also don’t want attacks on children. The sports ovals getting covered in wallaby excrement or kids turning up to see rows of dead animals. Either the wallabies must be relocated or humanely culled.”
In scenes of “absolute carnage”, camouflaged spy cameras hidden in trees by the council, filmed two dogs, a bull arab and a pit bull, as they tore open the throats and ate some of 26 killed wallabies early yesterday.
It comes after 49 wallabies were found dead - some foaming at the mouth - at the same site with fears they had been poisoned last month.
Wildlife carer Shai Ager, founder of the Agile Project, yesterday fought back tears as she cradled two rescued joeys.
“I’m totally devastated,’’ the 21-year-old, who has rescued dozens of baby joeys, said.
“It’s heartbreaking. There are just so many dead. We need to be allowed to relocate these animals.’’
Area councillor Brett Olds said the two dogs involved in the latest attack had been impounded and the owner was assisting authorities.
“Once some dogs get a taste of blood, they keep going back for the kill,’’ Cr Olds said. “The owner is facing heavy fines and the dogs may be destroyed or registered as dangerous.”