Strawberry flavouring key ingredient in dog cull plan

Luke Mortimer
26th Sep 2013 
Northern Star, Lismore

Feral dogs continue to be a problem in the Northern Rivers. Contributed

A MOUTHFUL of strawberry flavouring might seem harmless, but it could lead to the culling of feral dogs and foxes in coming years.

Along the Tweed Coast Canid Pest Ejectors, or M-44 devices, are being trialled to gauge their effectiveness on the pest animals.
The ejectors are spring-operated devices that propel the contents of a capsule into the mouth of a feral dog or fox after the animals are attracted by bait.
"When the animal pulls the bait, the spring ejector releases and propels the contents of a capsule into the animal's mouth," Tweed Council's pest management program leader Pamela Gray said.

Canid Pest Ejectors (or M-44 devices) ready to be assembled. Contributed

  "Although it sounds dramatic, the process causes no pain to the animal and the essence or dye emitted from the device will not cause any harm.
"The devices will contain a strawberry essence in the initial phase, then a red dye will be used later on to determine if any animals have been marked by the devices."
Phase 1 of the trial using the essence will run until January 2014, while Phase 2, using a safe red dye, will begin January 2014 and run until December 2015.
"If the trial proves successful - that is, the device is only activated by feral dogs and foxes - the CPEs can then be rolled out using poisonous baits," Ms Gray said.
The test ejectors are only located where domestic dogs are prohibited and research shows animals other than feral dogs and foxes will not be harmed, due to the jaw strength required to pull upwards and set off the propellant.
Council asks Tweed residents to avoid the devices and to keep their dogs out of bushland, but to notify them on 02 6670 2400 if a pet does set off an ejector, so the device can be checked and re-activated.
The United States have been using ejectors since 1930s, mainly in locations on the fringe of urban areas where trapping, fencing, shooting and baiting are not viable.
Cameras will be used to record animals activating the ejectors.