Bird flu can be fatal for cats and might stop off-leash dogs

The same is believed to apply for rabbits and guinea pigs as well as cows, sheep, pigs and horses.However, a controversial debate is brewing over dogs, duck hunting and leash-free areas on beaches.Experts have warned that off-leash dogs on beaches or near water courses could contribute to the spread of the virus. It is permitted in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Victoria.Australia is the final continent to record cases of the H5N1 bird flu, which has killed millions of wild birds and mammals across the world and wreaked havoc on the poultry industry overseas. Egg prices tripled between early 2022 and 2025, helping to drive inflation and raise the cost of living.In the US, two people have died from 72 confirmed cases of human infection.