Wild dogs

The term 'wild dog' refers collectively to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids, and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released.

In Queensland, wild dogs create a number of economic, environmental and social problems - particularly for agricultural businesses.

An Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre 2009 report estimates wild dogs cost Australia at least $48.5 million per year in livestock losses, disease spread and control.

The wild dog is a restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014, which means all landholders have a responsibility to minimise the risks associated with invasive animals under their control. Wild dogs cannot be moved, kept (if a dingo), fed, given away, sold or released into the environment without a permit.

Effective wild dog control requires a cooperative 'nil tenure' approach. This involves landholders, local government officers and other stakeholders working together to apply a range of control methods at a 'landscape' (rather than an individual property) level.

Control methods include baiting, trapping, shooting, fencing, and the use of livestock guardian animals.

This guide outlines landholder obligations for controlling wild dogs and discusses common control methods.