Dog owners living in parts of the Gold Coast must now follow strict rules or face fines under tough laws designed to keep koalas safe. But wildlife rescuers fear the plan could backfire.
New laws in a Queensland city mean people who live in designated koala habitat area must prevent their dogs from attacking the animals, by providing a range of options so the marsupials can enter and escape.Dog owners must create koala-friendly backyards, or be fined $309
In the event a pet causes bodily harm and injures a person or animal, then owners will be fined $774.after the state government released a discussion paper in June proposing a number of new measures, including possible jail time for irresponsible owners.John Grant, a spokesperson from wildlife rescue organisation WIRES, said koala-friendly backyards were a "great idea", but he was concerned the "hefty fines" could stop people from reporting injured wildlife.
"Each year, probably about 100 koalas get taken into animal hospitals … due to dog attacks, around about 75 per cent of them die — so it's a major issue," he said.But he said koala conservation should be a should a shared responsibility.
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