Dialogues with Dog Owners
Dialogues with Dog Owners
May 2024
While carrying out a series of Rat Operational trials across Waiheke Island, permission was needed by Te Korowai o Waiheke from each landowner within the trial area. With a dense network of bait stations and monitoring devices required to underpin a robust and science-based trial, gaining permission was vital. However, a small number of properties declined to be part of the trial, including dog owners. Given some dog owners expressed concern around bait use, a small study was carried out with 44 dog owners. Aims were to better understand their specific concerns as well as extend an invitation to a focus group for more in depth discussion on tools and methods to eradicate rats from Waiheke.