Feral dogs and foxes maim and kill sheep, AWI has two major projects in dog and fox control.

In some areas of Queensland and Western Australia, and along the Great Dividing Range in NSW/Victoria, sheep production is being significantly impacted because of the ongoing damage inflicted by feral dogs in particular.

Dogs and foxes are controlled primarily by baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (1080). 1080 has come under pressure from groups concerned that it does not provide a humane death. AWI has argued strongly for the continued availability of 1080 for dog and fox control because there are no good alternatives.

AWI's two major projects in dog and fox control are the:

• Development of a new canid (dog and fox) toxin. This is a major investment with the Invasive Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre. The toxin under study causes a rapid and humane death and is highly specific to canids. 
• Development of a new canid lure - FeralMone, with Pestat Pty Ltd. FeralMone contains abbreviated synthetic fermented egg, a powerful attractant for dogs and foxes which has performed very well in field trials. FeralMone was launched in 2005.