Sunbury dog owners are being warned to keep their pets leashed in areas targeted by Hume council’s annual rabbit control program.
Bait is being used in areas with high rabbit populations, including Emu Bottom Wetlands, Parkway Reserve and Glade Reserve.
The council will also fumigate burrows at Albert Road Reserve, Sunbury Fields estate, Emu Valley Reserve and The Nook, until April 8.
Follow up works may be carried out after inspections in May and June.
Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said rabbits cause serious problems, including erosion and the destruction of native vegetation.
“The rabbits graze to an extraordinary level, and this makes it hard for native vegetation to regenerate,’’ she said. “The pests cause soils to erode, and they take away food that is relied on by native animals.”
While the council is using an oat-based bait considered to be of low risk to domestic animals, pet owners are urged to keep dogs on leash in affected areas.
Cr Patsikatheodorou also urged landowners in adjoining areas to undertake rabbit control measures.
“Council works hard to stay on top of rabbits, partly because they breed so well,’’ she said.
“A female European rabbit can give birth to 28 kittens in just one year, and each kitten is able to move onto new areas of land at just three months of age.”
