Queensland grazier calls for research on fertility control for wild dogs

Updated August 20, 2014 16:52:11

A western Queensland grazier is calling for research into fertility control for wild dogs.

Beef producer John Paine from Daintree near Winton says fertility research is critical as traditional methods of dog control become less effective.

"One of the challenges we face in confronting this issue is the fact that the dog population is made up of two different types of canines, one being the dingo and one being domestic dogs gone wild," he said.

"When the majority of that population was dingoes it was hard enough to deal with, given that they only breed once a year but these wild dogs are capable of breeding twice a year, so there component of the population is expanding at twice the rate. We need an effective tool to mange that.

"That is why I am suggesting we find a disease to degrade the fertility of those wild dogs."

Audio: Western Queensland grazier John Paine and Scientist Dr Lyn Hinds discuss research on wild dog fertility control (ABC Rural)

The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) conducted fertility control research and experiments on foxes back in the 90s.

Dr Lyn Hinds is a scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and is involved with the CRC.

She says a canine herpes virus was trialled on foxes but there were no positive results.

However that doesn't mean the Invasive Animals CRC would rule out looking into a fertility control for wild dogs.

She says the canine herpes virus is for dogs not foxes so it could prove to be more effective.

"Perhaps if further research funding was available it could be looked at specifically for use in dogs," she said.

"The work involves a genetically modified organism and the public perception of releasing a GMO into the field still might be a hard message to have accepted by the public in general."

Dr Hinds says owners can vaccinate domestic dogs for the herpes virus to protect them.

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) was contacted to see if they would support and fund fertility control for wild dogs.

In a written response to the ABC, an AWI spokesperson says, "they recognise that wild dogs are the number one issue threatening wool production in Australia and it is therefore among the top research priorities."

The AWI says they welcome any research proposals that are backed by the industry.

Rural lobby group AgForce Queensland say they don't have any firm policy on the matter.

However AgForce Livestock Policy Officer Michael Allpass states in a written statement to the ABC, "that good scientific research is always supported providing the aims and objectives are realistic, and that the research will provide some tangible benefit to stakeholders."

"Discussion on biological control for wild dogs is not new; however it would be a case of let's consult on the topic if a new proposal was forthcoming."

Topics: pest-management, pests, rural, research, research-organisations, agricultural-chemicals, agricultural-policy, winton-4735

First posted August 20, 2014 14:07:30