[author]Steve Spencer[/author]
MLC Walt Secord asked in parliament last week if the primary industries department was aware of packs of wild dogs killing pets and terrifying families near Murwillumbah and what the government was doing to eradicate the threat.
Mr Secord was referring to a recent wild dog attack on a pet dog near Murwillumbah, reported in Echonetdaily last month.
He has raised fears in state parliament that a child could soon become a victim.
‘This is a very serious matter and the state government must help eradicate the wild dogs in the area. The state government must act before someone gets hurt,’ he said. ‘Make no mistake, this is a public safety matter.’
Mr Secord asked coalition leader in the Upper House, Duncan Gay, if he was aware of the attack by a pack of feral dogs on a household pet on a property at Reserve Creek, east of Murwillumbah, and what action was being taken by government agencies to address the threat to pets, livestock and people in the area.
He also asked what resources has the department provided for wild dog eradication in this area this year and if the area had a wild dog control plan.
The family affected by the attack has welcomed the issue being raised in parliament.
Kim Puntigam, who lives at Reserve Creek with four young grandchildren, said ‘now we have to keep our eye on the kids all the time’.
The family dog Jazz was mauled to death in the attack.
‘We used to warn my grandchildren to watch out for snakes but now we tell them to look out for bad dogs.’
Another Reserve Creek landowner, Laurie Peterson, said a pack of dogs recently savaged several sheep just west of Pottsville.
‘They killed a ram and a couple of sheep that were being used as lawn mowers,’ he said.
