ON 4 June 2025, the Mansfield Courier published an open letter from a group of thirteen farmers in the Mount Samaria area.

Expressing their concern at increased wild dog activity on private land in the Mount Samaria area along with mounting livestock losses and DEECA's alleged inability to help, the farmers used the letter to call upon Mansfield Shire Council to support the farming community by helping them to initiate a coordinated response to the wild dog situation.

Council has now reached out to the Mansfield Courier to confirm that, though wild dogs are not strictly a council issue, it is willing to step in in an effort to help.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said that council understands the challenges the shire's farming community face in relation the increased incidents of wild dog attacks and

the significant damage caused to their livestock.

“Although the management of wild dogs falls outside council’s jurisdiction, we would be willing to facilitate a meeting with farmers and DEECA, the responsible authority, to discuss how they may be able to assist and support our farmers.”

Details of when the potential wild dog discussion might take place have not yet been announced.