THE Victorian Government has been called on to guarantee it won't cut wild dog controller numbers.

Tallangatta Valley sheep producer Mary Fraser asked Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh at last week's Victorian Wild Dog Forum at Tallangatta if he would maintain controller numbers.

Three controllers have taken redundancies and are yet to be replaced.

Mr Walsh gave assurances the positions would be filled in time, but said it was not likely that the number of wild dog controllers would be lifted.

Another producer, Stuart Morant, said while the community was supportive of Mr Walsh's efforts to date, dog controllers were "vital".

He also questioned the Department of Primary Industries' reliance on baiting for wild dogs.

The meeting heard much debate over wild dog control methods, with landholders speaking about the personal and financial impacts attacks had on livestock.

Wild-dog researchers from Victoria and NSW said baiting could be an effective method of control. But landholders contested its effectiveness.

Department of Primary Industries representatives urged landholders to get involved with community baiting programs to battle wild dogs, which had been successful in Gippsland.

National Wild Dog facilitator Greg Mifsud said farmers needed to "start thinking outside of their boundary fences".

National Wild Dog Advisory Committee chair Michael McCormack urged landholders to report wild dog attacks, amid concerns many weren't reported.

Having accurate data about wild dog attacks was crucial to "give us the ammunition to lobby governments on your behalf", he said.

Other producers also called for government assistance with electric fencing as it was the only way they could continue to run sheep.

A hunter also asked why there was not more broader community concern over the loss of native wildlife, due to the increased dog numbers.