Baiting boost as Dog Fence needs repairs

More than 250 kilometres of the Dog Fence between Coober Pedy and the Ikara/Flinders Ranges has sustained damage, with a total of 2000 baits deployed to deter wild dogs from migrating south.

Primary Industries Minister David Basham said the "barrier of baits" would target the 40 breaches along the Dog Fence.

"While the floods washed away parts of the old Dog Fence and eroded tracks along it, fortunately the new Dog Fence has withstood the flood waters, suffering minimal damage," he said.

"The additional baiting efforts complement our historic $25 million rebuild of the SA Wild Dog Fence, as well as our trapping and bounty programs.

"Three professional wild dog trappers are ready to swing into action and as soon as allowed, they will be deployed to fix the fence in affected regions when access is restored."

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SA has also become the first jurisdiction in the country to legislate state-wide baiting standards for wild dogs.

As part of new control measures, Mr Basham said the development of the new baiting standards, the result of extensive consultation, removed historic barriers to controls and enabled the strategic targeting for removal of wild dog safe havens and breeding areas.

"Safe havens have traditionally created refuges and breeding opportunities for wild dogs, undermining the efforts of neighbouring properties with their wild dog control operations, potentially leading to tensions within the community," he said.

"With these new standards including mandated baiting, including areas previously identified as safe havens, it has enabled a strategic reform that provides the necessary lever for enforcing compliance when needed across the state."