Alleged ibis thief told to stay away from birds

An alleged birdnapper, who said he tied an ibis up by its feet and tried to shove it in a trolley because “birds annoy” him, has been released on bail subject to a very specific set of rules.

Tom Quach was granted bail at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, charged with animal cruelty and harming or attempting to harm a protected animal.

Quach was arrested earlier this year after a video of him trying to put the distressed bird in his wheeled shopping bag went viral online.

Police received calls regarding a man who had allegedly captured an ibis outside Eastwood train station.

Officers were told the man allegedly tied a rope around the bird’s feet and neck, and was trying to place the bird into a wheeled red trolley bag.

Several members of the public intervened and managed to take the bird from the man, who left the area before police arrived.

Witnesses told police the bird appeared to have an injured beak and was bleeding, but it flew away before police and WIRES arrived.

On Wednesday, Quach was granted conditional bail to return to his Maroubra home, but will be barred from approaching or possessing any birds.

No more than three times per week, Quach’s home will also be subject to a police search looking for any birds – dead or alive.

The court previously heard Quach had “lashed out” at the ibis because other birds had been “chasing and attacking” him.

“In his mind he was under attack,” his legal aid solicitor told the court.

“The birds were following him and annoying him and he lashed out and took his frustrations out on the bird.”

Quach also faces a single charge each of having a prohibited drug and possessing goods suspected of being stolen.

Under the bail conditions imposed on Wednesday, Quach will be required to report to Maroubra police daily and is subject to a strict curfew from 8pm to 6am.

He was also ordered to undertake treatment at Prince of Wales hospital and will be barred from consuming any drugs or alcohol.

The white Australian ibis, colloquially referred to as a bin chicken, is a protected species under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. As such, it cannot be harmed or interfered with.