Wild dogs

Wild dogs are highly adaptable predators that cause significant economic, environmental and social impacts across the Sunshine Coast. They prey on livestock, spread disease and threaten native wildlife.

Identification and habitat

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, a wild dog is defined as a dingo (Canis lupus dingo) and a dog (Canis lupus familiaris), other than a domestic dog. 

Wild dogs are restricted invasive animals under the Biosecurity Act 2014. They must not be moved, kept, fed, given away, sold or released into the environment without a permit. They are also listed as an asset protection species in our Biosecurity Plan. These species occur across the whole of the Sunshine Coast. These species should be managed when they threaten or impact high-value assets. This may include important environmental, agricultural or community areas.

They often use roads, creeks and fence lines to travel between different areas.

Why wild dogs are a problem

• Attack livestock, causing financial losses for farmers.
• Spread diseases such as hydatids and parvovirus.
• Impact biodiversity by predating native species.
• Pose risks to pets and human safety.

Services available

Sunshine Coast Council provides practical support to help manage wild dogs.

• Onsite property assessments and advice on protecting against wild dogs.
• Provision of trapping and monitoring equipment (including set-up instruction).
• Humane euthanasia services for trapped animals.
• Canid pest ejector services (available in limited areas only, subject to strict risk assessment).

Council programs protecting against wild dogs

Community baiting program – collaborative control efforts with participating landholders.

Mary River Turtle protection program – reducing impacts on sensitive habitats in the Mary River catchment.

How you can help

1. Participate in Council control programs.
2. Keep calving, lambing, kidding stock in pens close to residence especially at night.
3. Create dog proof fenced areas for pets and livestock.
4. Never dump or abandon dogs.
5. Public awareness: Educate friends, family and neighbours about the risks of pet abandonment to roaming pets.
6. Be a responsible pet owner and keep your pets safe and on your property and away from control areas. Your pet your responsibility.

More information and resources

• Download the Wild dog control fact sheet (PDF, 347KB)
• Watch the Wild dog management video
• Watch the Wild dogs: Animal ethics vs welfare and wild dog DNA research webinar video.