9 January 2011

A dingo ate my telescope! - Now with a picture!

| Homeless
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[First filed: Jan 7, 2011 @ 12:04]

dog clobbering telescope

I occasionally like to escape the madness of the city that is Canberra by heading bush. I have been known to head as far south as the Snowies in summer for a week or so to escape the heat. Mostly though, due to fuel costs I stay nearby.

This week I headed out to Namadgi to rest up. I decided to do a bit of amateur astronomy using my telescope. Now this telescope cost me a pretty penny some years ago, and is one of the most expensive things I own, or it was up until Wednesday night. On Wednesday I wandered into the national park, set up telescope, a rug and sleeping bag then ate a basic cold dinner as I waited for the sun to go down. It wasn’t long after sunset that I first heard some dingos howling in the distance. I didn’t think much of it, as I’ve heard that before.

Less than an hour after sun down, as I was just getting in some observations, I was attacked by a pack of wild dogs. I was very lucky that I heard them coming. One barked probably a couple of seconds before they came in. I was just able to grab my torch and flash it towards them when three dogs rushed at me and started to try nip my legs.

Instinct took over with me trying to kick back at them. I wasn’t about to let a bunch of wild dogs take me down. Thoughts of the pain of being eaten alive pumped the adrenaline into me and I spun around yelling and kicking like mad. But it wasn’t enough. The cunning bastards encircled me and started to bite at my legs. I had on thick trousers, so no damage was done at first. I was very worried about what would happen if they got me on the ground though where they could get at exposed skin.

I looked around for a weapon, spotted my telescope with it’s big tripod legs and grabbed it. For probably a fraction of a second I thought “I can’t use this, I’ll damage it.” Then another of the dogs, a little terrier type thing that honestly looked harmless until it bit me, bit me again. I didn’t need more prompting. In a frenzy of defence I swung my telescope and tripod legs at the three dogs which had been joined by a fourth. I began to realise I was quite literally fighting for my life. I got in some solid hits and kicks and the dogs began to retreat. It seemed like ages, but was probably less than a minute later that they all ran off.

My telescope was, and still is a mess. The barrel has all been squashed in, it is barely recognisable. One of the three tripod legs has been broken off. The mounting arm, a massive bit of metal has broken and it all looks kind of unhappy now. Alas, my poor telescope was destroyed by wild dogs. I admit that it had been taking up too much space in my van, but still, it wasn’t the way I wanted it to go.

This attack took place in Rendezvous valley, probably less than 2 km from the Gudgenby homestead. So folks, be careful of wild dogs in Namadgi. Carry a stout stick with you at all times. Keep an eye on what is following you, as I’ve had wild dogs follow me before. And to the idiots that dump dogs, may they follow you home and eat you for dinner!

Also, does any optical expert want to trade a beaten up telescope for something smaller, like a cheap set of binoculars?

[ED – Any chance of a photo of the telescope?]

UPDATE: Now with a picture of the dog-smiting telescope.

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colourful sydney racing identity9:10 am 17 Jan 11

Homeless said :

I’m glad I never did give you my contact details colourful sydney racing identity, you clearly are not out there batting for my side are you?
.

You mean when you were looking for work and I tried to line something up for you? Yes, that was really mean spirited of me.

shootthemessenger said :

Taken on Old Boboyan Road, about 6 kms from Yankee Hat car park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69LRKxO-knc

While I wholeheartedly agree that the wild dog population needs control, this is a reason that the old jaw traps have been outlawed. Eradication should be quick, not a drawn out process such as this.

OzPhoenix said :

TAMS have this to say:
http://tinyurl.com/2cdzu6f

So it seems it’s known they’re in Namadgi, and they’re happy with that. But also offer some advice on what to do to avoid encounters and and what to do in an encounter.

Their first sentence annoys me a bit: “Wild dogs remote from rural settlement serve a necessary role as a top order predator in natural ecosystems. In order to protect livestock, control of wild dogs is undertaken in areas of Namadgi that adjoin rural properties.

Purebred Dingoes definately are part of this food chain, not the mongrel bred things that are out there (such as in the above vid). They should be working to eradicate the cross breed mongrels & re-introducing the Dingo.

Someone should send him [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_Man]Grizzly Man[/url] on DVD…

Wonder if I got that link right?

Last week on stateline there was a story about a numpty who goes out to film these dogs. He says he thinks they have accepted him. I don’t know how old the story was or if it was a repeat.

My only thought was “he’s dog food”…

I don’t believe that the ACT Govt, given their general dislike of guns and shooter and their unholy alliance with the Greens who believe that all shooters are the spawn of satan, would allow such a program to control pigs, dongs, rabbits etc in the ACT.

Jesus, if the Greens are standing up for my right to go bushwalking while keeping my dong in-tact, then they’ve got my vote!

TAMS have this to say:
http://tinyurl.com/2cdzu6f

So it seems it’s known they’re in Namadgi, and they’re happy with that. But also offer some advice on what to do to avoid encounters and and what to do in an encounter.

> Packs of wild dogs aren’t nothing that a bit of 1080 wouldn’t fix.

There was a Stateline epsiode last year where a reporter spent a day with a ranger in Namadgi. In the story, they showed the ranger laying a 1080 bait for dogs. The story said they lay baits as well as using professionals to trap dogs in areas of the park that are close to farmland. In other parts of the park, the dogs are useful in that they help to keep the numbers of feral animals like rabbits down.

You can watch the story or read the transcript here…

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/04/30/2887572.htm

LSWCHP said :

My apologies for the bum advice.

Haha! No Pun intended right?

The professional sneerers here should take a trip out to Namadgi, or the Mt Franklin areas. These types of episodes are well known amongst bush walking circles, and is yet one more good reason not to venture into the bush alone.
While I have not experienced a full contact attack, I can vouch for the fact that packs of wild dogs do exist at Namadgi. My wife and I were visiting the rock paintings at Yankee Hat last year, and witnessed a full on pack hunt of kangaroos there. The pack was a mixed bag of about a dozen dogs of all shapes, colours and sizes. Fortunately, they were sufficiently distant to us and preoccupied with their chase to notice us. The incident, which occurred around late morning, did cause us to immediately seek out a couple of good stout sticks. The subsequent fleeting appearance of a doberman sized dog did cause us some misgivings as to the wisdom of continuing our walk. To say we were on high alert for the rest of the walk would be an understatement. Our subsequent report to the rangers did not arouse any great surprise or interest on their part. As I said these sightings are well known, as is the impact of dogs on the native fauna.

bigfeet said :

LSWCHP said :

akinom said :

In New Zealand, they let hunters loose in their national parks to shoot feral stuff. Can’t see that happening here.

There is a program run by the NSW Game Council (www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au) that allows hunters to shoot feral animals in National Parks under the R-class hunting licence. I know several people who do this, and between them they’ve killed dozens of rabbits, foxes, cats and dogs under this program. I’m thinking about having a go at it myself.

The NSW programme is only for State Forests, not National Parks.

Spot on. I actually sprang awake at about 3:15 and thought “Now that was wrong!”. Just not paying attention when I wrote that I guess. My apologies for the bum advice.

LSWCHP said :

akinom said :

In New Zealand, they let hunters loose in their national parks to shoot feral stuff. Can’t see that happening here.

There is a program run by the NSW Game Council (www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au) that allows hunters to shoot feral animals in National Parks under the R-class hunting licence. I know several people who do this, and between them they’ve killed dozens of rabbits, foxes, cats and dogs under this program. I’m thinking about having a go at it myself.

The NSW programme is only for State Forests, not National Parks.

neanderthalsis11:08 am 09 Jan 11

akinom said :

I In New Zealand, they let hunters loose in their national parks to shoot feral stuff. Can’t see that happening here.

South Australia has a similar program for feral goat control in a number of national parks. They shut the parks down to the general public and let the hunters loose. There was mass fear and hysteria from the nutters at Gun Control Australia that there would be dead people littering the scrub, all native fauna would be decimated and the vegetation would be ripped up in the hunting frenzy. The South Australian Govt even organises for the army to send along a number of ambulances to cope with the impending tragedy. The RSPCA went along to supervise.

Needless to say, the nutters at GCA were proven wrong, there was no injury to anyone except the goats and the reduction in goat number has led to widespread revegetation and the return of native fauna. It was such a success that it has become a regular event.

I don’t believe that the ACT Govt, given their general dislike of guns and shooter and their unholy alliance with the Greens who believe that all shooters are the spawn of satan, would allow such a program to control pigs, dongs, rabbits etc in the ACT.

While I’m at it…this person has a laptop, internet access, and a DVD player. Fair enough, maybe. I’ve seen windscreen washers on Northbourne talking into their mobile phones. But a f*cking telescope? Seriously? A homeless person living in a car who owns an astronomical instrument with a stable mount and all the rest? And who can afford to pay for fuel to drive 50 K each way to Namadgi so he can chill for a while? After spending all day chilling, what with being homeless and unemployed and having nothing to do but chill and write long posts on RiotACT?

Maybe the dude’s fair dinkum, but I think from now on I’m going to start reading his posts with a wry smile and a lifted eyebrow. Well, two lifted eyebrows actually. I’d love to be able to do the ironic one eyebrow lift like Mr Spock, but my eyebrow are too interconnected.

akinom said :

In New Zealand, they let hunters loose in their national parks to shoot feral stuff. Can’t see that happening here.

There is a program run by the NSW Game Council (www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au) that allows hunters to shoot feral animals in National Parks under the R-class hunting licence. I know several people who do this, and between them they’ve killed dozens of rabbits, foxes, cats and dogs under this program. I’m thinking about having a go at it myself.

I certainly believe there are wild dogs in Namdagi. I spent a scary night in a tent once out at Sam’s Ck near the Scabby Range. This was after the Azaria business. After I heard howling (spine-chilling) I brought a sturdy stick and rock into the tent … just in case. I’ve also heard that the property owners out near Shannon’s Flat and the Brindabellas have had troubles with packs of wild dogs. In New Zealand, they let hunters loose in their national parks to shoot feral stuff. Can’t see that happening here.

shootthemessenger12:00 pm 08 Jan 11

Taken on Old Boboyan Road, about 6 kms from Yankee Hat car park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69LRKxO-knc

Clown Killer – you crack me up!

When I lived on a farm near Cairns the size of the wild dogs had to be seen to be believed. They were mainly mastiff/wolfhound looking cross-breed things brought in by pig-hunters over the years and left there to breed with the dingos and inbreed with each other. I never went for a stroll in the bush without a gun.

I think Homeless was very lucky these things were probably no bigger than Terriers – but it’s still a very scary situation to be in.

haha, Clown Killer – “In other news, the man in the Guinness World Record books for ‘The most drugs ever taken’ died today of a heart attack after being attacked by a pack of wild dogs, he thought he saw.’

Sounds like you had a very close call there, homeless one.

Packs of wild dogs aren’t nothing that a bit of 1080 wouldn’t fix. But then, wild dogs probably have rights under some obscure UN convention that only dickheads like Stanhope or Barr would know about.

I hope they all head for the Arboretum, and piss all over the bloody trees! 🙂

Clown Killer9:59 pm 07 Jan 11

I saw a duck once. Sorry to hear about your telescope. My advice. Stay off the halucogenic substances.

This story is totally believable. On my last trip 3 day solo hike I saw two dogs in the rendevous valley. I have also seen a dog on 3 separate occasions in the hospital creek valley. You are meant to report any wild dog sightings to the rangers but they wouldn’t not be hard for them to find if they were in any way concerned. At homeless said they are all within a few ks of the ranger station at Gudgenby station. I have not heard of them attacking anyone though. Plenty of kangas for dinner out there!!!!

Homeless, I have spent the last 15 years camping & running around Namadgi & further south inti KNP.

Last Wednesday while driving home over the Bobyan road I saw my first wild dog in broad daylight at 10am. Previous to this I have only seen wild dogs hangin in trees OT heard them howling at night.

The wild dog population is increasing and as a result they are becoming more confident. At the moment the ACT government does not seem to care about pest/weed contol. I hope it doesn’t take a death before something gets done.

Incidentally, I saw two wild pigs while driving to Mt Coree the night before, another first in the daylight.

I for one am thinking if carrying some protection with me wholes camping/traveling in the Snowies.

I remember something about our local professional “dog shooter” retiring and no-one replaced him. Maybe it was stateline story.

Do we still have a full time “wild dog shooter” in the region? I seem to remember a bounty also being offered.

Keep the stories coming homeless. How about some pics. I remember some other RA posts about wild dogs in that area…I think.

You ought to get a tetanus shot!

Do we have rabies in Australia yet?

luther_bendross8:27 pm 07 Jan 11

Unexpected response indeedy. I’m reading this on my phone in an interstate pub and that story gave me LOLZe03. Thanks for the yarn and good luck with the binoculars and much needed ninja classes.

GottaLoveCanberra8:23 pm 07 Jan 11

If you’d had a 12 gauge this wouldn’t have happened.

I’m just saying…….

I’ve been spotlighting gliders in the Mt Franklin area and have heard wild dogs howling up close, scary as, real primal

Hmm, what an unexpected response.
I’m not interested in people’s sympathy. I just told it how it was. So, big deal, as mentioned before I’m not an illiterate homeless bogan, I do have a uni degree. Insurance job? Hah, as if I could afford insurance on anything but my van. I’m glad I never did give you my contact details colourful sydney racing identity, you clearly are not out there batting for my side are you?
For those that do not belive there are wild dogs out in Namadgi, go spend the night where I did. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.
Hmm responses like this make it hard to have faith in the world.

Captain RAAF7:36 pm 07 Jan 11

Where was this? I’ll happily shoot the buggers! Never heard of Rendezvous valley?

thumper – your comment made me laugh til i cried.

disclaimer: i have no personal opinion about whether the OP’s story is true or not.

JustThinking6:57 pm 07 Jan 11

Cool as,
This is the stuff newspapers LOVE,,,,just mention one looked like a pitbull or a staffy and you have it made!! Nipping your legs means they were in for the kill,,glad you got out of there in one piece.
Although I guess ‘heading bush’ means different things to different people…

I don’t mean to pry, but did you go to the hospital when they bit you? A dog bite is immediately infected the moment you get bitten, because of the amount of bacteria in their mouths. I’m sorry to hear of your misfortune and thanks for letting everyone else know to be careful!

Silence from Cap’n RAAF? I was hoping he would chime in to remind us that problems with feral animals can be directly attributed to cats and those pesky single mothers.

I was attacked by a pack on wild dogs yesterday…but I was playing Black Ops…

I enjoyed this story. So full of drama and star-gazing. Wild dogs should learn never to pick on a guy with a telescope! Good luck with your next camping trip.

Don’t worry about the crows Bob, the vultures are circling already….

Homeless really knows how to tell a ‘story’

“I wasn’t about to let a bunch of wild dogs take me down.”

Wow this is like the best story since I read those Jack London novels. Just one problem – I was interested in the stars so it would be better to insert a “…….while gazing as star 7653427, my fascination with it’s seven moons was broken by a low growl in the bushes to my north”

OK?? Keep up the good work. Next time I’d appreciate a story with crows swooping if you could oblige.

colourful sydney racing identity2:27 pm 07 Jan 11

Yes, they are very well written, as well written as those of the employment challenged hirsute woman who wasn’t going to change for anyone. Until a week later she wanted advice about hair removal and breast augmentation. Exactly as well written for that matter.

far_northact2:03 pm 07 Jan 11

Diggety said “I find it difficult to believe some of Homeless’s posts. Mainly because I feel like s/he is fishing for sympathy. There, I said it.”

I like his stories, they are expressive and for the most part, well written.

Can’t say I have ever been attacked by a pack of dogs, but I have seen evidence of them in Namadgi, and hear similar stories. Sucks to be your telescope though.

…. oh poor puppies,
I have also been told theyre are yowies and drop bears in the area, so stay clear!!!

I find it difficult to believe some of Homeless’s posts. Mainly because I feel like s/he is fishing for sympathy.

There, I said it.

eyeLikeCarrots1:33 pm 07 Jan 11

Lol, stinks of an insurance job.

Wow! Glad to hear you made it out ok.

If Johnboy would care to email me with a postal address, I’ll send you a pair of old Japanese Zenith field 5.1 7 x 50 binoculars in their case.

colourful sydney racing identity1:11 pm 07 Jan 11

what an incident filled life you lead!

Homeless – I hope you reported this incident to the rangers? This is the third story of similar vein I have heard recently.

btw, did you report the incident to parks people ? Namadgi Visitor Centre phone number is 62072900.

Hot damn – what an experience! Good luck, Homeless – I hope you can get your telescope repaired!

That is a little disturbing.

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