12.2.1. Conflict with domestic animals

Domestic cats and dogs can also play a significant role in threatening native plant and animal species and their habitats as well attacking livestock and being a noise nuisance for neighbours in the case of dogs. Keeping your pets under control and within your property boundaries is essential as well as the law.
Taking care of our wildlife includes having domestic pets under control and not allowing cats and dogs to roam on their own. Cats can kill off a huge amount of wildlife and do most of their damage at night, so owners need to keep them inside overnight. Uncontrolled dogs can chase animals causing immense stress, injury and death to wildlife and also to stock animals. If you like living harmoniously ‘in the bush’, take charge of your pets.

Boxed section: 
Knowing something about ‘dangerous’ wildlife
Some wildlife can inflict painful and/or toxic bites, so be vigilant and aware of what is around. It is best to keep the immediate area around the house and yard neat and tidy, so you can see what is around.
While tiger and brown snakes are some of the most venomous snakes in the world, they only bite to protect themselves from attack or to disable their prey. Humans are generally too big to be considered as food for snakes but if cornered or otherwise threatened they may retaliate in defence.
There is no need to be alarmed if a snake unexpectedly appears: left alone it will just move on. Remove rubbish and woodpiles away from the house to avoid being surprised. Some snakes are attracted to frogs, so expect them by a water feature and in the feed or chook sheds chasing mice.
Snakes hibernate in stone walls and woodpiles (as do lizards) and will seek out warm spots in summer– so be aware and take care when working in the garden.
If you use netting around plants, trees and shrubs keep it off the ground so that snakes don’t get caught up and give you a surprise.
Never tackle a snake yourself – stand back, watch it, be patient and call WIRES (1300WIRES or 1300094737) who have people that are trained to remove them.
In the Wagga region, a local reptile expert available to remove snakes and other reptiles is Tony Davies (T: 02 69256578 or M: 0419448350).
Snakes are protected animals and it is illegal to kill them. If you are bitten, be calm, apply a pressure bandage up and back along the length of a limb, immobilise the casualty and call 000. With correct and immediate first aid there will be plenty of time to treat the effects of a bite.
Give all large wild animals, including adult kangaroos and wombats a respectful distance and do not let your dog chase them. It can happen that a dog or human is bitten or kicked, if the animal is defending. Dogs have been drowned in dams by kangaroos, although more kangaroos drown trying to escape dogs!

 

Driving around
Most drivers don’t hit wildlife because they are vigilant and drive slowly in wildlife-rich areas. If you want the best chance to avoid an expensive bump, then reduce speed to allow time to react, avoid ‘tunnel vision’ and look around much more.
Know where wildlife crossing points are and take extra care at dawn and dusk and through the night, as that is when animals are moving around. Locals get to know where kangaroos are likely to be and where they cross the road, but that is of no use if a motorist is simply going too fast to stop.
On hearing an oncoming vehicle, the first instinct of a wombat is to stop and crouch. It will not move away until it understands what the noise is. If you have avoided a wombat on the road, stop, go back and chase the animal off the road - but do it safely.
Whether it is a wombat or kangaroo, check dead and injured animals on the roadway to see if there is a joey onboard or loitering nearby. Call your local wildlife group for advice and help.

END boxed section