This is the message from the Local Land Services (LLS) which want more farmers and property owners to bait to prevent the loss of livestock, native animals and pets.

“The number of landholders baiting in Bellingen is relatively small and we’d like to increase this coverage,” North Coast Local Land Services’ Dean Chamberlain said.

“This has come about because of increased attacks on livestock on some holdings and a decrease of native species on others, particularly wallabies.

“There seems to be a surge in numbers and to address this there needs to be a coordinated baiting program – this is the most effective tool for wild dog management currently – it has been demonstrated as the most efficient landscape-scale control strategy.”

Chamberlain said that while it’s known wild dogs can move very large distances – one canine was was tracked covering 800kms last year – they generally stick to routine.

“Wild dogs tend to work a couple of hectares, then move to another and so on but then come back around again to the start,” he said.

“They essentially have a home range and a pattern they stick to.”

So this means if you’ve had animals attacked before, the chances are the dogs will be back to try their luck again, sometime in the not too distant future.

It's fair to say the Valley is conflicted in its approach to wild dogs. Last year the debate hit an apex after a dingo was strung from a tree at Thora, and conversations before and since have been dominated by finding the path between wild dogs and native dingoes.

Mr Chamberlain said he understood the community's concerns, but the reality is the percentage of hybrids in NSW is very high, and as such, the DPI doesn't distinguish between the range and habitats ​of wild dogs and dingoes.

“The DNA evidence shows in the main, wild dogs are hybridised,” he said.

“They can look very much like dingoes as the dingo has the dominant traits … but from our point of view, our job is to help landowners mitigate the impacts caused by wild dogs.

“The reality is this is an artificial situation, and Bellingen is a peri-urban region and this means there is a high risk at the moment of domestic dogs being attacked – the wild dogs are staking territory and they tend to see any other dogs as a threat.”

Mr Chamberlain says there is no easy solution to wild dogs. Yes, they do come back year after year.

Yes, the community needs to come onboard for the programs to be effective, and yes, dingoes may be the sad collateral damage in a problem created by people who were not responsible dog owners.

But if there’s one small mercy, Mr Chamberlain said using 1080 (baits), as best they can tell, there’s no evidence of pain for the animal.

“It does not attack the central nervous system,” he said.

“1080 effectively deprives the lungs of oxygen and there’s thought to be no pain involved … however, if people have concerns or issues, or would like to learn more, the LLS has a training course and offers education about wild dogs.

“North Coast Local Land Services provides a free Vertebrate Pest Training (VPT) course to landholders, which provides participants with information relevant to the available control methods and practical skills to improve wild dog control.

“The VPT course has been provided to more than 1000 landholders since it began in 2010 and it provides a five year accreditation.

“Biosecurity officers work with coordinators from wild dog groups across the region to plan local programs and I would encourage people to become involved in these.”

For more information go to northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-control

In November 2016, the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun ran a story on one man’s fight to have broader baiting within the Valley. Here’s an excerpt of that article.

Kalang’s Phillip Smith, says he does not want to stir up local sentiments, but after losing four cows and a number of calves, he’s going to be baiting.

Mr Smith, who moved to the Valley in 1988, lives approximately four kilometres along the Kalang Road and he uses this history as a way to explain his current situation.

“I’ve been in the Shire more than two decades and during that time I’ve run cattle and various sorts of animals on around 100 acres, 40 per cent cleared,” he said.

“It’s also always been filled with various sorts of wildlife, wallabies, bandicoots, pademelons … my property backs onto a state forest, so it’s abundant with all forms of animals.

“However, during the past few years there’s been a number of increased sightings of wild dogs … and this year has been devastating.

“I’ve lost seven cows, the last one was found right near the road. A passerby called me, my house is 800m from Kalang Road, and said ‘you’d better come quick’.

“I went down and found a mother and her calf … the calf had been dragged a bit away and had been half-eaten and worse still, the mother had been attacked and they’d taken large chunks of flesh from her, but she was still alive.

“It was very upsetting and sickening – I had to get my gun and shoot her. She was beyond help and in so much pain.”

Mr Smith said last week’s attack followed a spike in dog attacks on his farm and nearby properties.

“The lady across the road … everyone I have spoken to has lost chickens, lambs or has some tale about seeing a dog near the road or in the bush.

“The thing is, this is not just about our animals, it’s also about the wildlife. There is a noticeable difference in the number of animals around.

“During my time here I have always seen heaps of wallabies and native fauna … but now there is none.

“The wild dogs have had a significant impact … and they are getting larger in numbers and far more brazen.

“I saw one the other day, it was massive, and I thought … what happens if it attacks a child? These animals are dangerous.”

In response, Mr Smith is going to bait. And he’s asking the public to come on board, or at least, have an understanding of his situation.

He’s also asking for more to be done, from his neighbours.

“I baited a while ago and placed the signs up … and some people wrote over the signs saying that baiting was not good, or to that effect,” Mr Smith said.

“People think 1080 being laid kills all native wildlife, but that is a misunderstanding.

“The 1080 is placed inside meat, and I bury this … the only thing that digs them up (except for goannas who have a resistance to the bait and do not die) are dogs and foxes.

“See many people are confused – people bait with grain in some parts and this then kills rabbits and possums. Grain-laced poison will kill wallabies, but my baits are six inches deep.

“There are many procedures to follow when baiting too … you have to get a certificate, notify neighbours … there’s nothing ‘cowboy’ about it all. It is a very serious undertaking.

“My biggest problem with baiting is that I am fighting a lone battle. If it's not a strategic approach, the dogs have come back – they will kill my cattle – killed wallabies and bandicoots …

“Over a decade ago, they did big aerial baiting and we saw a resurgence in the wallabies and bandicoots – there are many people who are not farmers in the Kalang, but are very concerned about the wildlife – we need to work together for all domestic and native animals.”

Wild dogs are declared pests in NSW and as such, under the Local Land Services Act 2013, all land managers, whether on public or private land, have an obligation to control pest species on their land.

Landholders interested in participating in a wild dog group should contact North Coast Local Land Services.