The last week has been a horror week for lizards vs dogs in the region. The last week the local WIREs branch has attended to over five lizard attacks in a week, most of the victims being blue tongue lizards. One day alone the local WIRES branch had to euthanise two adult blue tongues, both from dog attacks. At this time of the year blue tongues are more active, finding food and looking for safe places to have their babies. And of course there are visitors to the area with dogs that might not be used to large lazy lizards in the garden. One attack the dog pierced the abdominal cavity and the intestines were out of the body. Another had its spinal cord crushed and was paralysed from the front legs back. And over the weekend two rescuers, Kay Mallitt and Tony de la Fosse attended a dog attack on a goanna. Usually these animals are very dangerous to capture and care for so it was assumed two people would be needed. But it was quickly Decided that the lizard was badly wounded and besides opening its mouth was unresponsive to being restrained and transported. It was given pain relief overnight and went to Moruya vet for an assessment the next day as soon as the vet opened. From the outside the goanna looked fine but the vets quickly discovered a punctured lung and broken ribs. And the animal was humanely euthanised. Everyone loves a snail eating blue tongue in their garden, so if you are having visiting canines into your garden either keep them on a leash or closely supervise them. And we also encourage you to have effective control over your dogs when out and about.
Photos: Kay Mallitt
