Management Information
Preventative measures: Vaccinating domestic dogs (against canid pathogens) that may come in contact with wildlife, is recommended. (Roelke-Parker et al. 1996). Physical: Feral dogs can be poisoned, or hunted and shot. Poisoning can put other species at risk, so care needs to be taken in how the poison is distributed and what poison is used (Glen et al. 2007, Kortner 2007). Control of domestic dogs is dependent on their owners, although in some countries legislation is in place to control domestic dogs that have strayed away from home. For example, in Germany it is legal to shoot any dog found un-leashed more than 200m away from a dwelling (R. Wittenberg, pers. comm., 2000).
Location Specific Management InformationAnegada Is. (Lesser Antilles)
Feral dogs were eradicated from Anegada Is. between 1994 and 1999, although some are still kept there as pets (Gerber, 2000 in Varnham, 2006). Anguilla (Lesser Antilles)
In a 1997 report on the Conservation of the 'Vulnerable (VU)' lesser Antillean iguanas (see Iguana delicatissima in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) it was recommended that residents should be encouraged to spay and neuter pet dogs and keep them confined. (Cronk, 1986 in Varnham, 2006). Feral dogs were eradicated from Anegada Is. Between 1994 and 1999, although some are still kept as pets (Varnham, 2003 in Varnham, 2006). Australia
Fleming et al. (2001), Managing the Impacts of Dingoes and Other Wild Dogs is the first book to provide a comprehensive review of the history and biology of wild dogs in Australia, the damage they cause and community attitudes towards their management. Key strategies for reducing impacts on livestock industries are recommended by the authors who are scientific experts on wild dog management. These strategies are illustrated by case studies and decision-making frameworks. Please follow this link to download Fleming et al. (2001) Managing the Impacts of Dingoes and Other Wild Dogs. Cayman Brac (Cayman Islands)
C. lupus has been excluded from the protected area of QE II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman, where a restored population of the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) is established. There are also exclusion fences around areas supporting re-established populations of C. lewisi (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Germany
Dogs kill native deer species, such as the roe deer, and other introduced
species. Legal regulations of dogs in Germany have been made to protect the hunt. The
German Federal Hunting Act (Bundesjagdgesetz) § 23 puts the responsibility
in regard to feral cats and dogs to the states regulations.
The State Hunting Act (Landesjagdgesetz) of the most northern state of
Germany, namely Schleswig-Holstein, § 21 regulates the killing of feral cats and dogs in
order to protect the hunt. "The hunter are authorized to kill dogs, which
they encounter without accompanying person in their hunting grounds (remark:
virtually all the non-inhabitat land), and cats more than 200m away from the
next building." Then some exceptions are listed, such as hounds, police
dogs, etc. In conclusion, the German legislation is very strict regarding
free-roaming dogs and cats and hunters are called upon to kill them. Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands)
C. lupus has been excluded from the protected area of QE II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman, where a restored population of the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) is established. There are also exclusion fences around areas supporting re-established populations of C. lewisi (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands)
Canis lupus has been excluded from the protected area of QE II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman, where a restored population of the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) is established. There are also exclusion fences around areas supporting re-established populations of C. lewisi (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos Islands)
1995 report recommends preventing the introduction of feral animals to more islands, removing them from uninhabited islands, controlling feral animals and restricting the movement of livestock on inhabited islands, and educating the public on the destruction caused by non-natives (Gerber, 1995 in Varnham, 2006).
A management initiative to contol feral dogs is underway in Grand Turk (McCoy-Ground, 2003 in Varnham, 2006). Little Cayman (Cayman Islands)
C. lupus has been excluded from the protected area of QE II Botanic Park on Grand Cayman, where a restored population of the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Cayman island ground iguana (see Cyclura lewisi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) is established. There are also exclusion fences around areas supporting re-established populations of C. lewisi (Perez and Bensusan, undated in Varnham, 2006). Masai Mara Reserve (Serengeti-Mara ecosystem)
It is estimated that there are as many as 30,000 dogs in the areas surrounding Serengeti most of which are not vaccinated against canid pathogens. The authors emphasize "the need for continued disease surveillance to monitor infectious diseases in wildlife resources and for initiating vaccinating programmes for domestic dogs which may have contact with wildlife" (Roelke-Parker et al. 1996). Mont Panié (New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie))
A three year feasibility project initiated in 2003 by pest control specialists from the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG, IUCN) has focussed on the 5000 hectare Mont Panié Botanical Reserve and has investigated the control of pest mammals in north-eastern New Caledonia. In 2004 the project control techniques focusing on feral pigs and rats were investigated. During September and October 2005 field trials were undertaken to test the efficacy of pig, rat and cat control. Trained local people and Department of Conservation specialists undertook an intensive rat trapping programme within a 100 hectare site at Thoven during September and October 2005. A number of feral cats were also trapped within the experimental trapping area. In addition to cats, it is clear that feral dogs are also present in the forest. Results from the investigations and trials suggest there is potential to effectively control a range of pest mammals on Mont Panié. Natividad Is. (Mexico)
All feral dogs, and the majority of pet dogs, have been removed. Residents have agreed to remove the <10 remaining pet dogs in the fishing village by 2003. Pine Cay (Turks and Caicos Islands)
1995 report recommends preventing the introduction of feral animals to more islands, removing them from uninhabited islands, controlling feral animals and restricting the movement of livestock on inhabited islands, and educating the public on the destruction caused by non-natives (Gerber, 1995 in Varnham, 2006). Saint Helena
Intensive shooting campaigns in recent years have greatly reduced numbers (McCulloch and Norris, undated in Varnham, 2006). Serengeti-Mara ecosystem
It is estimated that there are as many as 30,000 dogs in the areas surrounding Serengeti most of which are not vaccinated against canid pathogens. The authors emphasize "the need for continued disease surveillance to monitor infectious diseases in wildlife resources and for initiating vaccinating programmes for domestic dogs which may have contact with wildlife" (Roelke-Parker et al. 1996). Turks and Caicos Islands
1995 report recommends preventing the introduction of feral animals to more islands, removing them from uninhabited islands, controlling feral animals and restricting the movement of livestock on inhabited islands, and educating the public on the destruction caused by non-natives (Gerber, 1995 in Varnham, 2006). Viwa Is. (Fiji)
The removal of cane toads (Bufo marinus) to protect the endangered Fijian ground frog (see Platymantis vitiana in IUCN Red List of Threatened species), and other invasive species like rats, cats and dogs from Viwa Island would benefit a range of other native species, including the banded iguana (see Brachylophus fasciatus in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), Pacific boa (Candoia bibroni), and several species of gecko and skink. In addition to the biodiversity benefits, this project is expected to have several socio-economic benefits to the people on Viwa. These include an increased agricultural harvest, improved health and sanitation (domestic water supply and disposal), ecotourism and employment opportunities, and finally cultural pride for the Viwa Island people (104 people live on the island).
The Viwa Stakeholder Committee (made up of local people, government officials and eradication experts) decided the vertebrate pest eradication should be conducted first with progress carefully monitored as the operation proceeds. During the vertebrate eradication, cane toad eradication techniques will be tested and refined. The mammalian eradication operation will help demonstrate eradication techniques to the villagers and will determine if the island eradication team can maintain a long-term eradication project around day-to-day village life and tasks. It will also remove any of potential interference of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans), cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis lupus) from the cane toad eradication.
Management Resources/Links
4. Glen, A.S., Gentle, M.N. and Dickman, C.R. 2007. Non-target impacts of poison baiting for predator control in Australia. Mammal Review Volume 37 Issue 3 Page 191-205, July 2007 6. Körtner, G. 2007. 1080 aerial baiting for the control of wild dogs and its impacts on spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus). Wildlife Research 34: 48-53
Summary: Spotted quolls were radio-trtacked to assess the effect an aerial poison operation to control wild dogs may have on quoll survival. The result suggested most quolls are able to survive baiting campaigns 7. Lapidge, Bourne, Braysher, and Sarre., 2004- present feral.org.au [Online]. Web-based
(http://www.feral.org.au)
Summary: The Bureau of Rural Sciences' National Feral Animal Control Program under the Natural Heritage Trust has supported the Pest Animal Control CRC in cooperation with the University of Canberra to develop a comprehensive, interactive and freely available website, Feral.org.au on pest animals. The site aims to make information on past and current research readily accessible and to interpret and pull together relevant data to assist end-users in making management decisions.
The website is available from http://www.feral.org.au/content/general/about.cfm
This page is available from: http://www.feral.org.au/content/species/dog.cfm Results Page: 1
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