A third wild dog suspected of being involved in attacks that included the fatal mauling of a pet dog at Casuarina and the stalking of an elderly woman on the beach at Cabarita was caught yesterday morning by a contracted expert trapper.
Its capture came after the other two wild dogs believed to have been involved in attacks were trapped during the past week.
Council joined forces with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and North Coast Local Land Services (LLS) to enforce the closure to enable the eradication program.
Beach accesses and vegetated areas between the southern end of Casuarina and the northern end of Bogangar/Cabarita Beach, which have been closed to the public since Monday to hunt for the dogs, will reopen this morning (Thursday) from 11am. Cudgen Nature Reserve was reopened today (1 April) at 4pm.
However, council’s director of community and natural resources, Tracey Stinson, asked residents to remain vigilant and cautious in the area.
Ms Stinson said council signs advising people of the risks would remain in place.
‘The capture of the three wild dogs is a great outcome which has come about because of the cooperation between Council, NPWS and LLS,’ Ms Stinson said.
‘However, residents and visitors to Salt, Casuarina and Cabarita Beach are asked to exercise ongoing caution.’
Ms Stinson said a continued cooperative response by the three agencies to manage wild dogs in the area would continue, but ‘responsible resident behaviour was vital to the program’s success’.
‘For example, it is important that domestic dogs are not taken into Cudgen Nature Reserve and are kept on leashes whenever they are outside your property,’ she said.
‘We are also urging anyone who sees a wild dog to report it to Council immediately on 02 6670 2400 and LLS 02 6623 3900.
‘To assist with long-term management, dog owners should ensure their pets are desexed, micro-chipped and registered.’
Tips:
* Never approach, entice or feed any wild dogs
* If you are approached by wild dogs – stop, fold your arms and back away slowly
* In the unlikely event you are attacked by a wild dog, be as aggressive and loud as you can and, if available, use a stick to ward them off
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