A WILD dog bounty scheme, offering landowners and pastoralists $120 per wild dog killed on their land, begins today.
The $100,000 bounty scheme is designed to support drought-affected farmers reduce the pressure from wild dogs and was announced as part of the state government's $21 million drought package.
Primary Industries minister Tim Whetstone said the wild dog bounty would provide financial support to pastoralists and farmers suffering through extended drought conditions.
"The impact of wild dogs on the pastoral regions is significant, costing livestock producers almost $90m every year," he said.
"That's why the government has allocated $100,000 to the bounty scheme to not only assist in reducing wild dog numbers but to provide extra income for drought-affected farmers.
"While only landholders will be able to collect the bounty, recreational and commercial shooters are able to hunt the dogs where they are invited to do so by farmers.
"Given the current need to reduce non-essential travel to slow down the spread of coronavirus, it is important shooters do not go to farming areas to hunt dogs without specific permission of the landholder.
Mr Whetstone said tackling wild dog populations in SA required a multi-pronged approach.
"The bounty adds to our government's integrated wild dog control program, which includes the $25m Dog Fence rebuild project, coordinated wild dog ground and aerial baiting programs and an expanded trapper program," he said.
"The wild dog bounty is an important element of the government's $21 million Drought Support Program to help those in need.
"We are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with SA farmers and will continue to work closely with the federal government to ensure support is being provided in a practical and efficient way."
The bounty will only be paid to landholders, who must submit photographic evidence of each dog killed humanely on their land for verification.
Further criteria and full details on how to submit claims are available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/wilddogbounty
The bounty scheme will run until June 30, 2021, or until the allocated funding is exhausted.
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