Scott Keller, a farmer based in Rainbow, northwest Victoria, has presented the state government with a bill for $39,765, claiming that more than 100 of his sheep have been killed or injured by animals he believes to be wild dogs, classified as dingoes under regional protections.
Keller stated that 160 sheep have been affected, with some suffering severe injuries. He described one ewe that had to be euthanized after an attack left it with "the udder eaten off of it and its guts were nearly hanging out the back between its legs." He also reported losing 33 lambs within a six-week period due to these attacks.
Dingoes are a protected native species in Victoria, with specific conservation measures in place for the critically low population in the north-west region, known as the Mallee. This designation has created a point of contention between farmers and conservationists regarding the distinction between protected dingoes and wild dogs.
According to the Victorian Dingo Unprotection Order of 2024, lethal and non-lethal methods can be used to control dingoes in eastern Victoria. However, in the north-west, where Keller's farm is located, dingoes remain protected due to their endangered status. The order notes that distinguishing between wild dogs and dingoes can be challenging without DNA testing, and penalties apply for harming protected wildlife. Recent testing in Victoria indicated that 87 percent of a sample group of wild dingoes and dogs carried dingo genetics.
Victorian Environment Minister Enver Erdogan acknowledged the impact these animals have on livestock while emphasizing the government's commitment to dingo conservation. "We as a government recognise that dingoes are a protected and culturally significant native species," Erdogan told 7News. He highlighted the cultural importance of dingoes to many Traditional Owner groups, referring to them as totem animals and part of family.
"In the north-west of Victoria the focus is on conservation because the Mallee dingo population is at imminent risk of extinction. This is a real biodiversity travesty, so we need to take steps to protect them," Erdogan added. The minister also noted that Keller had applied for a permit to dispose of three dingoes he suspects are responsible for the attacks.
