A plan by Wollombi Valley Landcare Group to have the Livestock Health and Pest Authority plant sodium monofluoroacetate, known as 1080, has prompted a group to circulate a petition against what they see as unnecessary harm to domestic dogs and wildlife.

“We all got up in arms about it because of the closeness of the properties,” said resident Jacquie Hickmott, who says that she is worried about the risk to her pets.

“We’ve been told for safety’s sake that we have to muzzle our dogs.”

“We’re Wollombi people, we do stand up for what we believe in,” she added.

“Along with many locals, I am very concerned as is my neighbour. We are both dog owners,” said resident Kes Harper.

She argues that using 1080 bait is an unreliable method that does not have the support of the community.

The 1080 bait is typically buried in the ground where a fox can sniff it out. The active ingredient is not harmful to native animals in small doses but is lethal to introduced animals such as foxes and dogs.

A group of about 10 residents have their own petitions in circulation, as well as two placed at the Wollombi and Laguna general stores, and Ms. Harper and Ms. Hickmott estimate that more than 50 signatures have been collected.

Wollombi Valley Landcare Group secretary Robyn Lamond says that the decision to use 1080 was made after consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Authority, who advised that baiting the foxes was the most effective way to get rid of them.

An increasing fox problem led Landcare to hold a presentation at the local primary school in April 2008.

“We’re not aware of any strong community opposition,” Ms. Lamond said.

“Thirty landholders nominated to have fox baiting on their property.”

Ms. Lamond said that proper consultation with the landholders is still going on and no baiting program can begin until all the necessary guidelines are in place.

“The intention is for it to happen once this winter,” she said.

In the meantime, the concerned residents are still hoping to get many more names for their cause.

“It’s still early days as far as the petition goes,” said Laguna resident Sandra Hitchcock, whose daughter’s dog died after eating fox poison 15 years ago.

“We’re not flying the flag for foxes,” said Ms. Hickmott, who stresses that she is instead opposed to what she sees as “aggravated cruelty”.

“We’ve been really struggling, trying to get the information out to people,” she added.

“It’s about time somebody stood up to 1080 baiting.”