The most recent incident happened in Port Fairy on Boxing Day when a wallaby was attacked by a dog in a designated off-lead area at Russell Clark Reserve. 

Warrnambool Wildlife Rescue Group members were called and found the exhausted wallaby, which was later put down due to its injuries.

Wildlife carer Tracey Wilson said the south-west had a large wallaby population along the coast and attacks were common, especially during the summer influx of visitors in Warrnambool and Port Fairy and finer weather prompted more dog owners to be outside.

An increase in pet-friendly accommodation could be another reason for the rise in attacks with more animals visiting the region, she said.

Dogs chasing wallabies into the water is another common problem, often waiting for the tired wallaby to return to shore, causing further stress, injury and increased likelihood of death. 

Another highly populated wallaby area is Port Fairy’s Griffiths Island, where dogs are not allowed at any time of the year, either on or off a lead.

This month Warrnambool surf lifesavers rescued a wallaby from Lady Bay, into which it had swum to escape a dog. It was guided to shore by lifesavers on paddle boards and wildlife rescuers were called. 

According to Mrs Wilson Warrnambool’s Stingray Bay and the Bluehole at the Hopkins River mouth were also common attack locations.

Mrs Wilson said both dogs and wallabies were likely to be using the beach at the same time. Dogs are allowed on Port Fairy beaches before 9am and after 6pm, the coolest times of the day, which was also when the wallabies were also most likely to be out. 

Mrs Wilson said it was a complex issue and with no clear answer. As a dog owner herself, Mrs Wilson said dogs had the right to enjoy approved designated off-leash areas, as much as the wallabies should have the opportunity to roam without fear of being attacked. 

Wildlife rescuer and foster carer Val Carter said it was terrible to witness the stressed animal and their rapidly increased heart rate following an attack. 

The most common outcome following an attack was to euthanise the animal — wallabies big enough to be out of their mother’s pouch were unlikely to be rehabilitated and had to be put down.

Ms Carter said putting down an injured animal was often the only option, rather than leave it to suffer and be susceptible to more attacks from foxes or dogs. 

Both women said the number of wallaby attacks could be higher as many were not reported.  

They want the public to be aware of the fatal impact the stress of a dog attack can have on a wallaby and to report any incidents to Wildlife Victoria.

Ms Carter would like to see more signage in wildlife areas to raise awareness of the resident native animals and help to reduce the incidence of attacks. 

She said enclosed ovals for dogs to be exercised could be another option and called on councils to be more proactive and do what they could to help wildlife officers reduce the number of attacks.

Moyne Shire environment and regulatory services manager Robert Gibson was unaware of the recent Port Fairy attacks and said no fines had been issued to dog owners this month. The shire’s annual dog restrictions began on December 1.

“The rangers can’t be everywhere all at once (but will conduct) random patrols over the summer holiday period,”Mr Gibson said. 

“Generally speaking it (dogs on beaches) has not been a big issue but people need to be aware that the rules are there. We can and do issue fines when warranted.” 

Mr Gibson encouraged people to “keep their dog on a lead to avoid getting into any trouble and to obey the dog restriction times on the beach”.

Anyone not adhering to the dog restrictions can be reported by contacting Moyne Shire on 5568 0555.

To report injured wildlife call Wildlife Victoria 1300 094 535.