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Wild Dog Trapping - Victoria's Shame
Why are wild dogs an issue? Wild dogs are medium sized canids, who live independently of human sources of food and shelter. These dogs are predominantly located in vast areas of Gippsland and North Eastern Victoria. These animals are considered to be a serious predator of sheep and calves in many areas of Victoria. Stock losses reported to the Department of Primary Industries average around 1900 sheep a year, however this number is considered to be under-reported and does not cover other impacts on animal productivity. Controlling wild dogs: The current method of control is the use of steel-jawed leg-hold traps and snares. Such methods cause serious injury and animals suffer for considerable periods of time prior to finally being dispatched. Dogs caught in leg hold traps struggle and try and free themselves until exhausted. Trapped animals suffer from severe anxiety, leg injuries, tooth and mouth damage from gnawing at the trap and debilitation from exertion (Rowan 1988). This often tragically leads to death. As illustrated in the picture above there is a circle of marks surrounding the trap indicating this unfortunate dog has spent a considerable amount of time struggling against the trap. Animals have been known to chew their leg off to escape. The RSPCA's position: The RSPCA is not opposed to the use of lethal control methods for pest animals as long as there is no effective, humane non-lethal alternative available. The RSPCA is opposed to any method of control that does not result in a humane death, including leg hold traps and snares. We steadfastly maintain that these wild animals deserve the same protection from cruelty as all other animals. Unfortunately, current methods of trapping do not lead to this humane death. The RSPCA recognises the need to improve and replace many current control techniques and encourages research and development of humane alternatives. The RSPCA believes that snares should be banned from use as they cause serious physical injury and suffering to the captured animal. The use of any other type of live trap can also cause suffering if the captured animal:
Such traps should only be used in circumstances that avoid potential suffering, for instance where regular checks are made. The RSPCA believes that traps which kill instantaneously and reliably are a humane method of control. The law:
These traps may only be used in an area specified by the Minister. This currently covers vast areas of North Eastern Victoria, Gippsland and far Western Victoria. Within this area, the permitted type of large steel jawed traps can be used to control foxes and wild dogs which are designated pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CALPA). These traps can be used without any welfare provisions, as there is no welfare code of practice for the use of large steel jawed traps or any welfare standards legislated by CALPA. While the POCTA Regulations require that an animal must not be left alive in such traps for more than 24 hours, there is power for the Minister to approve the wild dog control program to leave animals alive in traps for longer periods. This means that there is no requirement for traps to be checked daily. The RSPCA believes traps must be inspected every 24 hours and this should not be compromised under any circumstances. Unfortunately, the legislation allows the Minister for Agriculture to extend these time frames in remote areas. While the government wild dog control program reorganises the required compliance, the current practices of an animal being held in a trap for up to 3-5 days will continue. Current operations: The Department of Primary Industries currently operates wide-scale trapping operations throughout the wild dog exclusion zones of Victoria. Hundreds of dogs are trapped every year by a team of government trappers known as “Doggers”. Many traps are set in remote areas where there is no possibility of checking them daily, so not only dogs but native wildlife may be trapped. The RSPCA believes this is a case of totally unacceptable cruelty and possibly aggravated cruelty. Alarmingly, prosecution by the RSPCA may not be an option as wild dog control is in accordance with legislation. An exemption under POCTAA legislation is inconsistent with the purpose of the legislation to prevent cruelty and encourage the care of animals. Alternatives: Currently there is a device referred to as the Tranquilliser Trap Device (TTD) that is used in the United States to dose trapped dogs with sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs. This device has the potential to significantly increase the humaneness of trapping. Alternatively, lethal trap devices (LTDs) could be considered to ensure animals are not left live in traps for unreasonable periods. However, neither the LTD or TTD will provide any welfare benefit for wildlife species (non target) captured in traps and hence the need for frequent inspections, at least every 24 hours. The RSPCA believes that steel jawed leg-hold traps should be banned from use, as they are inherently cruel. Alternative methods of control such as exclusion fencing should be used far more widely. If the use of traps is to continue in Victoria, the RSPCA considers that they must only be operated under a mandatory welfare Code of Practice which stipulates that at minimum traps must be checked daily. As a matter of urgency, research must be funded to facilitate the adoption of devices such as the TTD and LTD for all wild dog trapping in Victoria.
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