It's often said that good fences make for good neighbours.
So when a fence fails to keep a vicious and nasty bunch of predators at bay, it's understandable that relationships are strained
Tidbinbilla farmer Michael Shanahan had 16 sheep mauled by wild dogs on Tuesday night, the latest in a succession of incidents which he says is a result of the neighbouring ACT Parks and Conservation failing to fulfil its requirement to keep a vital border fence electrified and properly maintained. The electric fence separates Mr Shanahan's leasehold from the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
But since November last year, the incursions from the dogs, which are part dingo with domesticated dog genes, have been increasing and the sheep losses mounting.
He estimates he has lost around 500 sheep since late last year which, counting in the lost wool, amounts to a farm loss of some $90,000.
Mr Shanahan said Tuesday night was "particularly bad", with three sheep killed outright and 13 mauled. Veterinarians who visited the property on Wednesday expected that 10 of the 13 injured survivors may have to be euthanised.
Even though the dogs gained access, the ACT Parks and Conservation Service curiously maintains that the electrified fence is "in a state of disrepair" and that it is "working in consultation with the landholder to ensure ongoing protection is maintained and stock losses are minimised".
"This includes fixing and maintaining minor sections of damaged fence and electric wires," the directorate said in a statement.
Infrequent wild dog attacks are a problem which Mr Shanahan, who runs 10,000 sheep on his property under the range, accepts as part of having a farm so close to a national park.
But when he saw so many distressed and injured sheep on Tuesday, enough was enough.
"The terrible thing about this is that the dogs see it as a game; they drag the sheep down and injure it, then let it up again and chase it until it can't run any more," he said.
"This goes on and on, sometimes for hours.
"It's an awful thing."
While he's entitled to take a rifle and shoot the intruders, he says that a better solution is managing the problem with good quality electric fencing which for more than two decades has proved reasonable deterrent.
The management plan for the reserve states that in the relationship between the rural leaseholders and the managers: "open and honest communication is essential and will be undertaken by both parties" and that "the practical resolution of management matters at a local level is a priority".
"The fence doesn't keep the dogs out, plain and simple; there are parts which are not energised at all," Mr Shanahan said.
"There is no evidence to suggest the numbers of dogs in Tidbinbilla in general and overall have increased in recent years," the directorate said.
"The numbers of dogs within the reserve are regulated in response to issues raised by local landholders through regular consultation."
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