Feral dogs and rabbits appear to be running rampant across the Lower Hunter, invading urban backyards and causing farmers headaches.

Rabbits have been reported in plague proportions around Cessnock and Wollombi.

They are destroying backyard vegetable patches and eroding grazing land for livestock.

Feral dogs are attacking livestock on the Central Coast, particularly in areas near national parks.

Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority has issued warnings about both pests and invited landholders to take part in a special accreditation program in Maitland today.

The program, which will be run in Maitland Polish Hall, is for landholders to gain accreditation in handling chemicals to control feral pests.

Authority ranger Ben Serafin said rabbits were in high numbers across the region. Dogs seemed to be prevalent around Mangrove Mountain, Wollombi and Cessnock near national park boundaries.

‘‘They’re looking for food and we are trying to make people more aware, to organise group patrols and baiting in conjunction with national parks,’’ he said.

‘‘The main message is to get people to report any activity to our office.’’

Ellalong cattle farmer Bob Pynsent said that in 20 years he had never seen as many rabbits on his property.

‘‘They seem to overcome every virus that is introduced to control them and I would certainly welcome any new incentive by the authority which gives landholders more control over how we police the situation on our own properties,’’ he said.

Lochinvar grazier Joanne Le Maitre is having trouble with rabbits and dogs.

‘‘The wild dogs are also affecting the native wildlife here,’’ she said.

Domestic dogs were breeding with feral dogs and starting to hunt in packs.