Outrage Over Roaming Dogs: A Wildlife Crisis We Can't Ignore

Every single night across our country, scenes of unimaginable horror play out. Wildlife—our kangaroos, our native treasures—are being harassed, chased, injured, and killed by uncontrolled roaming dogs. And still, we shrug it off as “just one of those things.” But where is the outrage?

Two farm dogs chase a kangaroo relentlessly until it’s pushed to the brink of exhaustion. Desperate and out of options, the kangaroo runs into a dam to protect itself. The dogs follow, their instincts to attack overriding reason. The kangaroo, fighting for its life—its all it it has—ends up drowning both dogs. And the farmer’s response? “If I had a gun, I’d have shot the kangaroo.”

“Kangaroos go to water only when being chased by (a perceived threat) and if need be, may attempt to drown predators in self-defence,” Jae Bea wrote.

“The normal response of a kangaroo when chased by a perceived predator is to flee in fright.

Kids News - Animals

But what good would that have done? The dogs were already gone, through no fault of their own. They were simply doing what dogs do. The kangaroo, on the other hand, was just trying to survive. It had no choice, no other way to defend itself. The real responsibility lies squarely with the dog owner—the same person who now calls for the kangaroo to be killed. The very one who failed to keep his dogs under control in the first place. Now he wants to blame the kangaroo for his own negligence. The hypocrisy is staggering.

And it doesn’t stop there. Sanctuary pens, meant to protect and rehabilitate injured wildlife, aren’t even safe. Packs of roaming dogs have circled these sanctuaries, their presence driving joeys inside to sheer panic. Some joeys, in their terror, break their necks on the fencing. Others collapse from stress, their small hearts unable to take the fear. For the carers—who have spent up to 18 months lovingly nursing these babies back to health—burying them after such senseless tragedies is a torment words can’t capture.

Plea to Aussie pet owners after joeys killed in ‘unbelievable’ dog attack at rescue centre news Report from Channel 7 - Non profit organisation Peel Marsupial Care - which rescues, rehabilitates and releases animals back into their natural habitat in WA - reported two dog attacks in the past fortnight alone in which several kangaroos and joeys were seriously injured. At Amaris we work closely with PMC

I’ve lived through this myself. One day, a neighbor’s dog invaded my yard. Jaffa, was inside, and her frantic crashing into the furniture alerted me to the intruder. I raced out, securing the dog and calming Jaffa, but the chaos had already spread. Two mums and their babies were in a pen nearby, seeking safety from the wild males for the day.

Caree and Coby

"🌿 In loving memory of Cody 🌿 A precious life lost too soon, a victim of chaos brought by a roaming dog. Your gentle spirit will forever be remembered, and your story will continue to inspire the fight to protect our wildlife. 💔🦘

Caree, one of the mums, panicked at the sight of the dog and leapt over a 6ft fence. Her joey, safe in her pouch, didn’t stand a chance. The trauma was too much—Caree lost her baby the very next day. I was there. I saw it happen. The helplessness, the heartbreak, the knowledge that I couldn’t save Cody or reunite him with his mum—it haunts me to this day.

The other mum Calle in the pen that day wasn’t spared either. Her joey Alby, equally terrified, didn’t make it. Despite all my efforts to keep them together, I couldn’t. Their little lives were stolen, and the loss still aches.

"Calle and Alby”

"🌿 A Heartbreaking Loss in the Joey Enclosure 🌿 Another victim of a roaming dog’s visit—a precious life stolen too soon. This little one’s story reminds us of the immense cost uncontrolled dogs impose on vulnerable wildlife. Rest peacefully, sweet soul. You will not be forgotten. 💔🦘"

Ellie’s Story: A Heartbreaking Lesson on the Impact of Stress in Wildlife caused by a roaming domestic dog.!!

Ellie and her sister Elsie were my two little heart huggers who often spent their days in the bush near the property where the dog was roaming.. I noticed Ellie seemed uneasy, and I couldn’t shake the suspicion that she and Elsie might have been chased by the neighbor’s dog when it had gotten loose. The bush they frequented was on the side where the dog had been seen running free.

At first, Ellie seemed to recover from whatever had unsettled her, but about a month later, she was in severe abdominal distress. Recognising the urgency, we brought her in for surgery, hoping to alleviate her pain and give her the chance she deserved. Despite our best efforts, her condition worsened over the following week, and blood tests confirmed the presence of severe capture myopathy. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to put Ellie to sleep and end her suffering.

What is Capture Myopathy?

Capture myopathy is a life-threatening condition that affects wildlife subjected to extreme stress, whether from physical exertion, fear, or prolonged handling. This condition can occur after events like being chased by predators (or, in Ellie’s case, potentially a domestic dog). Stress triggers a cascade of physiological reactions in the animal’s body, leading to muscle damage, inflammation, and toxic byproducts that affect the heart, kidneys, and other vital organs.

Symptoms:

  • Weakness or inability to stand.

  • Muscle stiffness or trembling.

  • Elevated heart and respiration rates.

  • Severe cases can lead to shock, organ failure, and death.

In kangaroos, capture myopathy often presents as delayed symptoms, making it challenging to detect early. By the time Ellie showed signs of abdominal distress, the damage caused by prolonged stress and muscle breakdown was already severe.

Ellie’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how sensitive wildlife can be to stress and why it’s essential to minimize disruptions to their natural behavior and habitats. At Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary, we’re committed to advocating for responsible pet ownership and educating communities about the impact domestic animals can have on native wildlife. Ellie’s memory inspires us to continue working tirelessly for the welfare of kangaroos and all the animals in our care.

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"💔 In Memory of Kirra 💔

Kirra’s Mum, a fiercely protective mother, was chased by a dog and tragically lost her joey in the chaos. Though Kirra was rescued, her injuries were too severe, and she didn’t survive.

The heartbreak didn’t end there—the trauma of a mother losing her baby is unimaginable, and kangaroo mums are known for their deep bond and fierce love. The member of the public who witnessed this tragedy will carry the weight of that moment, and the wildlife carer who fought to save Kirra will forever feel the pain of not being able to do more.

Kirra’s story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact roaming dogs have on our precious wildlife. Rest peacefully, sweet Kirra. 🌿🦘"

These aren’t isolated incidents. And it’s not only Kangaroos.  We have rescued birds and possums and even a bobtail from a dog’s mouth. They are a constant, devastating reality for our wildlife. When will we start holding people accountable for the actions of their roaming dogs? When will the loss, the suffering, and the heartbreak be enough for people to care?

Our wildlife deserve better. It’s time to stand up for them.

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Outrage Over the Exotic Pet Trade: The Exploitation of Kangaroos Must End

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Where Is the Outrage? The Silent Damage Caused by Members of the Public (MOP’s)