Okay folks I wont go on and on about this one but being attacked while birding is definitely an unnerving situation. I have dealt with adult moose and black bears while doing wildlife research on birds in Canada but so far only a nasty farm dog that got called off. By the way moose are much more dangerous overall but fortunately I went unscathed with the moose adventure. Okay now to my point. I am not sure about Aussie law but in Canada if I am in heavy heavy bear country I prefer to use bear mace which is totally legal here. The kind that actually will turn grizzlies around like a scalded hog. One jolt of that and even the most determined pack of mutts will be rolling and screaming in the dirt while others will be be yelping and panicking to leave the area. A bit pricey but great for peace of mind. Hopefully this will be helpful to some of my great mates in Aus. ===============================
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Comments
8 responses to “feral dogs and birding”
Most ‘dingos’ near any human populations are hybridised with ‘domestic’ dogs anyway. From the point of view of safety, its pretty much an academic point. Any dog, dingo, pet, feral… whatever, has some potential to be dangerous. A very large number of the ‘dingo’ attacks I have had to investigate turn out to be domestic dogs free-ranging in loose packs, or hybrid dogs.
That said, police in some US jurisdictions train Jack Russell Terriers as attack dogs. Knowing how energetic they are, how they can jump, and how tenacious they can be, I think a marauding group of Jack Russells would be quite terrifying.
When I’m out anywhere, be it city, park, or bush, I give them all plenty of respect and a wide berth.
Scott O’Keeffe
Ps. Citronella has been demonstrated as quite ineffective as an insect repellent. Smells nice though.
I was involved in the Lindy Chamberlain case, first by Walbiri elders, concerned that police didn’t’ listen to their side of the story. I then collected evidence on wild dog attacks for Dr. Paul Wilson, a criminologist. Paul then held public meetings in an attempt to free her.
I wonder if your third ‘dingo’ was someone’s pet! Denise
on 25/1/11 3:03 PM, David.Clark@dpcd.vic.gov.au at David.Clark@dpcd.vic.gov.au wrote:
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Interesting stories and solutions. Carrying citronella could also keep mossies away!
A former colleague was doing solo fieldwork in the NSW high country when she realised that she was being stalked by feral dogs. She kept them at bay by shouting and swinging a large stick and was able to get back to her car.
My only similar experience involved dingoes in the Simpson Desert. I was walking a short distance from my camp at night when three dingoes started following me. I didn’t worry at first but when they got to within a couple of metres I wasn’t entirely happy with the situation. I stopped and turned around and the three dingoes stopped. I said, “And what do you think you’re up to?”, and two of the dingoes immediately ran off. The third dingo, a large male, crouched down with its hindquarters raised, wagged its tail, gave a ‘woof’ and ran off after the others.
I think that the dingoes were simply curious and didn’t consider me as prey, but you never know!
David
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Jill,
Training a dog is a different situation from being attacked. I’m not convinced. Until I saw evidence otherwise, I have a feeling that these gadgets could actually enrage an aggressive dog.
S.
Donald,
I’ve found elk during the rut to be the most dangerous… Wolverines are supposed to be terrifying, but good luck trying to find one.
If the bear mace you are talking about is a capsicum spray, my understanding is that this will actually provoke dogs. I’ve spent a lot of professional time on wild dog issues, and know a lot of people that have to deal with aggressive dogs routinely (good luck to them!). Most of these are council animal control officers. For safety they carry something called a ‘whack-bite’ stick. It’s a telescoping billy club, essentially. I think they are classified as weapons, and are not available to the general public. Council officers also carry citronella spray which is apparently very effective on dogs. I’ve certainly found citronella very effective on my marauding Jack Russell Terrier. Merely uncorking sends the do into a frenzy trying to get away. The council officers I know swear by the stuff.
Some other general advice. Don’t run when confronted. Try to look confident, look towards the animal, but not straight in the eyes (it’s a challenge to it). Back away slowly and carefully. (Sound’s easy, doesn’t it?). Seriously though, if you run, it will induce a chase response in the dogs- they will be chasing prey. This is what happened to those unfortunate children killed by wild dogs on Fraser Island a few years ago.
Advice on how to deal with wild dog behaviour is best accepted only from those with significant experience. All manner of folk tales about how to deal with dogs abounds. Most of it wrong and possibly hazardous to follow.
And remember, bird in pairs. That way you don’t have to be able to outrun the dog, just the other guy.
S.
Jill,
I heartily agree on the safety aspect. These devices are not toys and outside of dog training purposes, should only used when your safety is at risk. These devices also are not 100 % effective in all situations. Some dogs will keep coming, but even madder.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Hi All,
Before everyone runs out and buys a dog deterrent as Carl described, I would like to qualify his comments – hope you don’t mind, Carl.
I have one such thing. It cost me about $40 through the net. It has a truly stunning effect upon dogs, so I urge anyone who gets one to use it only when absolutely necessary, and with careful thought.
I used it to train my dog when she disobeyed deliberately. She has selective hearing. If I give an order and she disobeys it a couple of times, I give a VERY quick zap, and there is instant response (like, “sorry Mum, I really didn’t mean it”). Don’t hold your finger on the button for any length of time. This little gadget seems to inflict audial pain on dogs, as it does when humans hear a sound which hurts the ears.
But gee it works well, and would be a great safety gadget when out birding in wild dog country. Or when taking a morning walk where dogs run loose.
Cheers,
Jill
Jill Dening Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
26° 51′ 41″S 152° 56′ 00″E
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Hi All,
Before everyone runs out and buys a dog deterrent as Carl described, I would like to qualify his comments – hope you don’t mind, Carl.
I have one such thing. It cost me about $40 through the net. It has a truly stunning effect upon dogs, so I urge anyone who gets one to use it only when absolutely necessary, and with careful thought.
I used it to train my dog when she disobeyed deliberately. She has selective hearing. If I give an order and she disobeys it a couple of times, I give a VERY quick zap, and there is instant response (like, “sorry Mum, I really didn’t mean it”). Don’t hold your finger on the button for any length of time. This little gadget seems to inflict audial pain on dogs, as it does when humans hear a sound which hurts the ears.
But gee it works well, and would be a great safety gadget when out birding in wild dog country. Or when taking a morning walk where dogs run loose.
Cheers,
Jill
Jill Dening Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
26° 51′ 41″S 152° 56′ 00″E
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Donald,
Prior to retirement I was an Inspector for a State Department of Agriculture. One of my duties was property inspection for plant pest and disease. My District included Bourke, Brewarrina and Dubbo. I had regular deep and meaningful discussions with dogs about my rights of entry.
Then my life changed for the better. I came across ultra-sonic “Dog Stunners” They were a hand-held audio generator (about the size of a block of butter) which generated sound in the principle band-width of a dog’s hearing, at 120dB. It was very effective. Just had a quick Google and the same type of device, now called “dog deterrent” is widely available for under AUD 50. These devices could be a useful addition to a birders kit.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
Okay folks I wont go on and on about this one but being attacked while birding is definitely an unnerving situation. I have dealt with adult moose and black bears while doing wildlife research on birds in Canada but so far only a nasty farm dog that got called off. By the way moose are much more dangerous overall but fortunately I went unscathed with the moose adventure. Okay now to my point. I am not sure about Aussie law but in Canada if I am in heavy heavy bear country I prefer to use bear mace which is totally legal here. The kind that actually will turn grizzlies around like a scalded hog. One jolt of that and even the most determined pack of mutts will be rolling and screaming in the dirt while others will be be yelping and panicking to leave the area. A bit pricey but great for peace of mind. Hopefully this will be helpful to some of my great mates in Aus. ===============================
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