“It has been devastating really, wild dog attacks are traumatic. My sheep are traumatised, I’m traumatised and all my family are traumatised” Mr McIntyre said.

In July, biosecurity officers from South East Local Land Services, working with the NSW Forestry Corporation, trapped three of the wild dogs that had been killing Mr McIntyre’s sheep.

“I was really pleased with the group effort. Hopefully, with continued collaboration, we’ll have some respite here before lambing.

“I encourage everyone to let LLS or Forestry know if you see or hear a wild dog near your place”.

South East Local Land Services had received information from the community regarding wild dog activity in the Lochiel, Burragate, Towamba and Rocky Hall areas in April and May this year.

In response  they have been able able to work with members of the local community,  NSW Forestry Corporation and National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW to launch a coordinated response to the issue involving baiting and trapping activities.

“Everyone has a role to play in managing pest animals and there’s no better source of on the ground information than the eyes and ears of the community,” said South East LLS senior biosecurity officer Andrew Michelin.

“Without the information they provided we wouldn’t have been able to focus our efforts as accurately as we have.

“Receiving and providing this information to land managers and the community and supporting them in their control efforts is one of our key roles”.

Group control is considered best practice in pest animal management. Pest animals, including wild dogs, don’t perceive or adhere to man-made borders and boundaries, so a considered, coordinated approach to management is required to get the best results.

“Being able to work with members of the community, NSW Forestry Corporation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service really increases the effectiveness of our activities, we are able to cover a larger area and create a buffer zone between private and public land,” Mr Michelin said.

Local Land Services encouraged all members of the community to report any suspected wild dog activity to their nearest LLS office.