This man is accused of catching and killing an ibis before hanging the dead bird in his shower as he prepared to eat it – and admits to devouring the native species before
- Alleged Ibis thief says ‘birds annoyed him’ when he stole native bird
- Tom Quach is said to have tied twine around the bird’s legs and neck
- The man was charged with animal cruelty and was released on bail
A man who allegedly stole an ibis from a public park before tying the native bird to its feet to dry it out before cooking has been found guiltyreleased on bail.
Tom Quach, 60, reportedly stuffed the garbage chicken into his backpack and then drove to his unit in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, where he beheaded it and hung it in his shower on Tuesday, preparing to eat the native bird.
The Vietnamese citizen was Released on bail in Waverley local court on Wednesday, charged with animal cruelty and harming or attempting to harm a protected animal.
His lawyer told the court that the 60-year-old was confused about the ibis’s protective status in NSW, as he had previously caught and eaten the bird while living in Queensland.
Several members of the public intervened and managed to snatch the bird from the man, who left the area before police arrived (pictured)
Quach was arrested earlier this year when he was filmed trying to stuff an ailing bird into a shopping bag.
Police responded to an incident involving him allegedly captured an ibis outside Eastwood train station on March 31.
Officers were told the man reportedly tied a rope around the bird’s legs and neck before attempting to stuff it into a red trolley bag.
Members of the public tried to stop the birding and managed to pry the bird from the grasp of the man who fled before the police arrived.
Witnesses told police the bird appeared to have an injured beak and was bleeding, but it flew away before police and WIRES Wildlife Rescue arrived.
The white Australian ibis, colloquially referred to as a fry hen, is a protected species under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. As such, it cannot be harmed or bothered.
Quach (pictured) was arrested earlier this year after a video went viral online of him trying to stuff the ailing bird into his wheeled shopping bag
The court previously heard that Quach had ‘lashed out’ at the ibis because other birds had ‘chased and attacked’ him
On Wednesday, Quach was granted conditional bail to return to his Maroubra home, but he is not allowed to approach or possess any birds.
As part of his bail conditions, police are also allowed to search his home for birds, dead or alive, up to three times a week.
The court heard earlier that Quach had “lashed out” at the ibis because other birds had “chased and attacked” him.
“He was being attacked in his mind,” his lawyer told the court.
“The birds followed him and annoyed him and he lashed out and took out his frustrations on the bird.”
Quach also faces a single charge of having a banned drug and possession of property suspected of being stolen.
Quach (pictured) also faces a single charge of possession of a banned drug and possession of property suspected of being stolen
The white Australian ibis (pictured), colloquially known as a chicken, is a protected species under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act and must not be harmed or disturbed
The court heard that Quach suffers from PTSD and bipolar disorder and spent weeks in a mental health facility only to re-offend just days after his release.
Under bail conditions imposed on Wednesday, Quach must report daily to Maroubra police and is subject to a strict curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
He was also ordered to receive treatment at Prince of Wales Hospital and must not use drugs or alcohol.