Wild dog baiting program to start in the Kimberley this month

Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets away from Kimberley pastoral stations over the next few months as an annual baiting program gets underway.

The Kimberley Rangelands Biosecurity Group will begin its wild dog baiting program this month in an effort to curb wild dog numbers in the region.

More than 120,000 poisonous baits will be dropped on pastoral stations across the Kimberley from May to June.

Co-ordinator Mike Butcher, from the KRBG’s coordinating contractor Animal Pest Management Services said local pet owners needed to be aware of the risk and stay away, where possible, from pastoral leases.

"Domestic dogs are can also be killed by the baits, so check with the pastoral station manager where baits have been laid" he said.

"My advice is, if you're going to go camping, leave your dog at home."

Each pastoral lease will receive between 3,000 to 5,000 poison baits, which are usually dropped along creek lines and water points.

"We don't bait near recognised camping areas or around communities or towns," Mr Butcher said.

"If you're going to go camping in the rangelands, around water holes, it always pays to talk to the local pastoralist.

“They'll let you know if there are any baits in the area."

For more information, call Mike Butcher on 97262537.