ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WILD DOG

Have you met my mate Max;
a friendly loyal dog.
His smiling tongue and laughing eyes
lit up with just a scratch.
He led a life of ease;
all meals and board for free,
the only obligation then;
don't bite the hand that feeds.
He doesn't smile these days,
I can't give him a pat,
for Max has joined the wild dog pack
marauding out the back.
Now, Max would want to bite me.
I guess he should be angry
at hands that now will feed him with
a treat mixed with 1080.

I had a dog that died of 1080 poisoning Neville and it was horrific to witness. I also had a dog called Max - and he was a loving rescued dog that just wanted and gave love.

Heather

Yeah Neville so there does that make you feel really really bad. ?


I had dog named Carpenter . He used to little jobs all around the house.


Rober

I did this after I had a discussion with a local farmer and asked him if it was possible for family pets to turn feral and savage. He said they certainly could.
Feral dogs are a big problem in our area.

Foxes are the problem here Neville and I have used 1080 on them but haven't since my dog took a bait. As much as I detest foxes, it is a really cruel way to die.

There are not many pure dingoes out there Neville most mobs are pets gone feral.


Bob

Of course the tragedy of a warm and supportive relationship that has turned to vicious enmity is not only applicable to pet dogs. Maybe it isn't about dogs after all.

I don't believe a family pet that is loved and well treated and well fed will turn feral and savage, however if perhaps it gets lost or if circumstances see it for what ever reason turned out onto the streets then indeed they can - however having seen first hand how some farmers treat their working dogs I can totally believe that they could and do. Mistreated and half starved animals can only take so much - they are no different from people and a scared dog is often a fear biter.

Baiting a dog is the most heinous of crimes - if a dog is worrying and/or mauling stock as opposed to killing to eat then a kill shot is the humane method of eradication. Using poison to kill any animal has its own set of problems because who then eats the carcase - goannas, crows and eagles and a crow will regurgitate in flight dropping poisoned meat who knows where. Do hope your poem was a figment of your imagination Neville I would hate to think you lost a dog this way

Anyone would think ya liked dogs Maureen ?

I agree on the poison point. I lost two dogs to baiters over the years and they were in a fenced yard and it is a horrible death.

Bob

Only a meditation Maureen. I had an incident when I was working, of a dog that was severely injured by a car and I was faced with shooting it on the side of the road. I couldn't do it fortunately the poor thing expired in a couple of minutes while I hesitated.