Dogs running loose on Hill
CASTLE Hill walkers are being warned to not exercise pets at dawn or dusk after a pair of wild dogs were spotted in the area.
Townsville City Council has installed traps and increased camera surveillance to try to catch the canines.
The dogs were spotted by people using the Maiden Hair Track at West End while exercising their pets during early morning walks.
Deputy Mayor Cr Vern Veitch said people should take care while walking in the area.
“The council has put up signage on the hill warning people of the presence of the wild dogs, and land protection staff are gearing up to locate and remove the animals as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Staff have been targeting Castle Hill for a number of weeks and have several remote cameras in place.
“People walking the hill should keep their dogs on leads and avoid taking their pets up on the hill at dawn and dusk when the wild dogs are most likely to be active.”
In the past year, council’s wild dog management strategy has captured more than 100 dogs.
So far in 2015, council has received 25 reports of wild dogs including sightings and attacks on wildlife, pets or livestock. In 2014 84 wild dog reports were received, compared to 76 in 2013.
Animal behaviourist and Townsville dogfather Michael Burling said if confronted by a wild dog, people should stand still and not make any sudden movements.
They should keep their own dog calm as their pet was most likely to become the victim of a wild dog attack.
“Sometimes people make loud noises or movements trying to shoo them away,” Mr Burling said. “But that will activate their food drive or it can make them feel territorial.
“Stay facing the dog because you don’t want them to come at you from behind.”