Unfortunately, hunting of pigs with dogs is still a legal activity in some parts of Australia, including Queensland and New South Wales. This allows dogs to be used to flush out or locate feral pigs but they are not permitted to bring them down, however there is  no evidence that this distinction is being enforced in either State.

The RSPCA accepts that in some circumstances there is a need to control introduced animals such as feral pigs, but we firmly believe that any control measures used must be justified, effective and humane. This is not the case with hunting pigs with dogs. Recreational hunting of pigs does not have any significant effect in reducing the agricultural or environmental impacts of these animals. Pig hunters do not apply their activities in a coordinated manner nor do they target their efforts in ways that would reduce impacts.

Pigs hunted with dogs are chased, held down and may be attacked and wounded by the dogs before the hunter is able to dispatch the pig. This is especially likely where dogs are poorly trained or are not called off quickly after they have located the pig. This means that the pig has suffered considerable pain, suffering and distress prior to death. Accredited game hunters (professional game meat harvesters) have an incentive to ensure that the pig is not mauled or injured as the carcass would not be acceptable for processing. Recreational hunters have no such incentive or requirement for training or applying humane practices.

The dogs used for pig hunting are usually large mixed breed dogs that have been bred and trained by their owners specifically for this task. During a hunt they may be fitted with large leather collars and guards to try to reduce the liklehood of injury from the pig. Not only is the use of dogs cruel to the pigs themselves, it also places the dogs in danger of injury and death. Some hunters will treat injured dogs themselves by sewing up their wounds, rather than take them for appropriate veterinary treatment. In addition, pig dogs are frequently lost during hunting and can end up as stray/wild dogs causing stock losses to farmers.