Coastal rabbit control to begin

For immediate release: Thursday 29 May 2008

Dog owners who exercise their dogs on the beach are being urged to keep them on leads during the next few months as coastal rabbit control takes place.

The annual rabbit control programme is being carried out at 10 sites using pindone rabbit baits, to help protect this season’s native dune plantings which have been put in by Coast Care volunteers. All poison areas will be well signposted with warning notices.

Because the pest control involves using poison baits, beach users and local residents are reminded to look out for warning signs so they can keep pets and young children out of harm’s way.

Poison bait will be laid from now, and may be on the dunes until late August.

Environment Bay of Plenty pest animal officer Brian Clements said this year Pindone carrot or pellets will be used.

“The advantage of using carrot is that dogs are less likely to pick up the bait. However that’s no reason for people to be less vigilant when walking their dogs near any of the poison areas,” he said.

“If you’re walking your dogs on the beach near poison areas, keep them on a lead so they don’t run up into the dunes where they might find the bait, and also cause damage to the new plantings. Better still, take them to a different spot on the beach where they’re unlikely to be near the poison.”

Mr Clements said all bait is dyed greed and people are reminded to look out for warning signs which will be put up at each site.

“If you suspect your dog has eaten the bait or poisoned rabbits, seek veterinary care immediately. Poison symptoms may include pale gums, difficulty in moving, and, in severe cases, bleeding,“ he said.

Poison will be laid in sand dunes in these areas:

• Hartford Ave Area, Papamoa;

• Pukehina;

• Otamarakau West;

• Otamarakau East;

• Pikowai West;

• Matata (Richmond Avenue area);

• Snells Beach;

• Tirohonga West ( of campground);

• Tirohonga East (Tirohonga campground to Waiaua River mouth);

• Opape; and

• Rabbit Control is also being undertaken at Ohiwa/ Bryans Beach separate from the above locations by the local Ohiwa Care Group.

ENDS

© Scoop Media