Developed by Victorian dog control specialist Frank Gigliotti of General Dogs Body, the prototype multi-dose ejector (MDE) system has the potential to kill up to 20 dogs with one bait.

The unit is screwed into the ground and baited with a polymer compound impregnated with a dog attractant.

When a dog tugs at the bait, the unit squirts a shot of aerosol toxin powerful enough to kill the dog.

The unit offers a range of advantages over conventional baits, not least the potential to deliver several kills from a single placement.

The trigger which activates the toxin shot is weighted to only go off with a tug of about three kilograms, which means it can't be activated by small native predators, or carried by birds.

It may be fitted with an exclusion collar that prevents native animals like quolls and possums accessing the bait.

The unit is also fixed in one spot, making it easy to check and recharge.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has announced it will fund the prototype's development over the next year, hopefully through to a unit capable of being registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA).

"This project is a low risk investment with good potential for significant gains to be made in wild dog control," said Jim Rothwell, MLA's program manager - biosecurity, animal health and welfare.

MLA is investing around $245,000 for the first year of the project, on top of a $1.4 million investment in invasive animal control research conducted through the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre (IACRC).

An additional $2.5m is pledged to research invasive animals from 2012 either via the IACRC re-bid process or individual projects.

"We're giving the re-bid all the encouragement and support we can," Dr Rothwell said.