September 1st, 2023Warning on dog security after wildlife mauled

A Daylesford resident has asked dog owners and drivers to be more aware of wildlife, after a kangaroo and its joey were found mauled to death on a local property.
Wendy Avery said on Saturday, July 29, about 3pm, she saw a dog jump in her dam chasing her ducks and sheep.
“It then ran around the dam in circles and attempted to chase my sheep. At this stage I could see what was going on and came out to investigate. My property is completely fenced off from Cobblers Gully and the wet spaniel made a hasty retreat through the fence toward Cobblers Lane/Raglan Street. He/she was wearing a collar with a disc medallion.
“I like dogs but living in Daylesford you have to carefully pick your breed, train and look after them. Especially if they are to live alongside the native wildlife in our area.
“(Some spaniels) are water dogs, prone to roaming. They are actually a gun dog used for hunting, not really a pet if you are just going to leave them in the backyard without exercise or attention.”
Wendy said a week later on Sunday, August 6 as she headed out for a walk along Cobblers Gully about 4.30pm, still on her neighbour’s property, she saw a dead kangaroo.
“On closer inspection it was a small female with a joey in its pouch. Both were still warm, but sadly deceased. You could see that they had been attacked by a dog and the council ranger has confirmed from pictures it was a dog attack. The dog involved would have come home with a bloody muzzle.”
Hepburn Shire Council Infrastructure and Delivery director Bruce Lucas said over the past four years there had been reports involving kangaroo, wombats, possums and lizards.
“These are from not only dogs unconstrained or roaming but let’s talk about cats as well, in relation to smaller wildlife. The council has just introduced a dusk to dawn cat curfew.
“The case recently was a roaming dog and we don’t know who the owner is and have not been able to identify the dog. If we had responsible pet ownership and people keeping animals well contained that attack is likely to be avoided.”
Mr Lucas said the council worked closely with Wildlife Victoria, who had responded in this case, and that they did an amazing job as a volunteer organisation.
“We work closely with them, they support us and we have a great working relationship.”
Mr Lucas said the primary goal was keeping animals contained on properties and when walking them to be mindful of the surroundings. “If you are in the bush then make sure your dogs are on lead or under effective controls because there will be wildlife. It all comes back to responsible pet ownership.”
*Wendy did provide photos of the dead kangaroo and its joey but The Local has chosen not to show them as they are very distressing.