Dog lovers drop bait for rabbit shooters

Local dog club president Lorna Miller says authorities should shoot feral rabbits, rather than bait them. Picture: VIRGINIA YOUNG

THE peninsula’s top dog training club president, Lorna Miller, has thrown her support behind more rabbit shooting to control feral rabbit populations, rather than baiting with poison.

The Manly and District Kennel and Dog Training Club president said rabbit baiting greatly reduced the number of parks available to exercise dogs.

“It’s frustrating for dogs and frustrating for us dog owners - baiting means yet another place we can’t take our dogs for six weeks, sometimes longer,” she said.

“Shooting is a more humane and faster method that allows access to dogs and their owners, which is a better answer.”

A Pittwater Council spokeswoman said since 2009 trained marksmen had done culling twice a year between midnight and 4am in open spaces such as Avalon Golf Course and Pittwater Rugby Park.

“Culling of feral rabbits by shooting is only undertaken under strict controls relating to public safety and is generally unsuitable for residential areas where other methods are used,” she said.

In Warringah, between 50 to 100 feral rabbits a month have been culled since 2008, although locations cannot be made public, according to a council spokesman.

“Culling does not take place in residential areas and is done outside high traffic, social times to minimise any impact on the community.”

Dog owner Diane Campbell from Scotland Island said she was happy with the current level of rabbit baiting.

“There are many other parks you can go to,” she said.

REASON TO TAKE AIM
The Manly and District Kennel and Dog Training Club president says more rabbit shooting should take place rather than baiting
Rabbit bait means parks and reserves can be closed to dogs for six to seven weeks
Baiting began on March 7 and 20 at Manly Dam, Middle Creek and Garigal National Park, with the council reserves closed to dogs until Sunday, April 17
In Pittwater, baiting occurred in 44 parks, reserves and other areas in Pittwater from February 14 to April 8

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