THE DINGO QUESTION. 
The losses caused to the flocks of the Commonwealth are very 
serious, and, of late years, have been. increasing to such an extent in 
certain pastoral districts of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western 
Australia that many station-holders have had to abandon sheep and 
stock with cattle. If the present conditions are allowed to continue a 
serious and permanent reduction of our flocks will take place, and a 
corresponding loss to the national revenue. 
The effective control of the wild dogs is hampered, in 
that there is no co-ordinate action between the various States, and 
between the States and the Commonwealth, nor has the question been 
specially investigated with a view of finding out the best means of 
combating the pest. The means that are adopted are much the same 
in all the States. 
The Pastoral Protection Boards offer a bonus for dogs killed; this 
is sometimes supplemented by the Government, and a special payment 
is often made by the settlers for the destruction of a noted dog that is 
causing special damage. The actual destruction of the dogs, and the 
means taken, are in the hands of the settlers themselves, though one 
will often find men who specialize on the work, and some of these are 
very expert, and jealously guard any knowledge they may have gained 
in this direction. 
In discussing various methods for killing dogs it must be understood 
that great variation can be used to suit special conditions, the peculiari- 
ties of certain animals, and also for the time of the year. Generally 
speaking, most good can be done in the spring and summer when the 
pups are abroad, for the young and inexperienced dogs are easily got, 
while the older animals are much more difficult, and some are 
‘exceedingly clever, and seem to have learnt all there is to know about 
traps, and poison, and human ways generally; then it is a ease for 
man’s ingenuity against the dog’s cunning. 
The general ways of destroying wild dogs are by shooting (often 
combined with driving and hunting with trained hounds), trapping and 
poisoning; but in applying any method the habits of the animals must 
be taken into consideration. ‘The dingo is a wary beast, which travels 
with every sense alert, and is gifted with a very keen sense of smell. 
Strange objects are always investigated and approached with the utmost 
care, anything handled by man is left alone, and even man’s tracks may 
not be crossed. He will follow a trail, track, or fence, and generally 
go to and fro from lair to hunting fields by the same track; they must 
drink once in twenty-four hours. When on game the dingo becomes 
reckless, and when among sheep frequently kills or maims a dozen. or 
more. Individual animals will often develop special habits, or show 
some peculiarities, and the study of these may give the clue to the best 
way of getting them. They usually attack a sheep’s flanks, and. feed 
from the hind quarters. ; bere rahynmt 
Shooting is effective when the dingoes are confined to comparatively 
smal] areas of forest or scrub which enables them to be driven up to 
posted “guns,” which must be placed to leeward of the quarry so: that 
they will not scent the man ahead. This requires very careful manage- 
ment and knowledge of the lay of the country, tracks, ke. 
739 
