Sniffer dogs join biosecurity battle
Rescue dogs from the SPCA are being trained to sniff out biosecurity threats to pasture.
Tahi, a 2-year-old border colliecross, and 3-year-old mixed breed Nala are the latest weapons against Chilean needle grass in Marlborough.
Seddon farmer Tim Struthers watched the dogs in action on Friday and said the move should prove a powerful tool in battling the weed.
‘‘We know we have needle grass on our property, but it’s the outlying properties that don’t have it or could get it in the future it will most affect,’’ Struthers said.
For farmers with high numbers of breeding stock the impact could be huge, Struthers said.
‘‘This whole east coast region is susceptible to needle grass,’’ Struthers said.
‘‘I’ve never seen dogs used like this before. It could be a massive benefit. The guy on the ground can only see so much and the dog can get down a gorge or gully and indi- cate she’s found something. I see it every day and I still struggle to spot it. These dogs will be an awesome tool to have.’’
Scientist Fiona Thomson and dog handler Marina Paz prepared the dogs for the needle grass demonstration with Geoff Bower, of Kuri dog trainers at Christchurch.
‘‘These are both rescue dogs,’’ Thomson said. ‘‘Younger dogs are better, and they encourage each other in training but would probably work alone eventually.’’
Marlborough District Council biosecurity officer Jim Herdman said the dogs’ work would be hugely beneficial to local farmers.
‘‘The council’s biosecurity officers and local contractors spend hours searching for needle grass. The dogs will be able to sweep larger areas with only a few needle grass plants, preventing the further spread,’’ Herdman said.
Needle grass affected about 2500 hectares in Marlborough, dotted across about 200 properties. The dogs could control the weed all year long in areas like the Wither Hills Farm Park, he said.