Shocking Pest Control Plan by Popular Chicken Shop Backfires Horribly
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In the leafy, affluent streets of Rose Bay, Sydney, a local chicken shop's attempt at pest control has ruffled more than just feathers. Chargrill Charlie's, a popular eatery in one of Australia's most exclusive suburbs, has come under fire for its 'bonkers' pest control strategy that has left dog owners in distress and sparked intense backlash from the community.
The controversy began when a concerned Sydney man, who chose to remain anonymous, noticed an unusual sight around the perimeter of the Chargrill Charlie’s Rose Bay store – chips scattered in small batches, stretching for about 40 feet. After a staff member warned him that the chips could be poisoned, he rushed his dogs to the vet to have their stomachs pumped, incurring a hefty bill of over $850. His alarm escalated upon seeing a pigeon, seemingly immobilised, on the pavement outside the store. 'That was the icing on the cake,' he said, 'I started to think, what the hell is going on here? This is insane.'
The incident, which took place last Tuesday, involved a professional pest controller and has since sparked a community uproar. When contacted, a staff member at the store suggested that the pest control measures were intended only for birds and that the chemical used wouldn't be strong enough to affect dogs. However, the pest controller responsible for the operation later claimed on social media that the chips were not poisoned but were used for 'pre-baiting' pigeons. Despite this claim, his post was met with furious responses and has since been deleted.
The local council, Woollahra Council, confirmed that it had directed the restaurant to implement measures to prevent pests from entering the premises, such as screens and door seals. However, the council clarified that it had issued no direction regarding baiting or poisoning of birds.
The community's concern extends beyond domestic pets to the potential impact on local wildlife. Wildlife carers have expressed worry that native birds, including seagulls, could be harmed by the poisoning. There's also fear of secondary poisoning affecting powerful owls, peregrine falcons, and osprey, which could consume affected pigeons – a known prey species.
The dog walker, still seeking answers, has collected samples of the chips for testing, hoping to uncover which poison was used. 'The whole thing seemed slightly bonkers,' he said, frustrated by the lack of transparency about the pest mitigation program. Fortunately, his dogs have remained in good health post-incident.
Chargrill Charlie's, owned by Craveable Brands – which also owns Oporto and Red Rooster – has responded to the incident through a PR firm. While they did not disclose the poison used or the species targeted, they stated that the 'health and well-being of our customers and communities' is their number one priority and assured that the pest control methods were compliant with industry standards.
This incident is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between urban living and wildlife management. It highlights the need for transparency and responsible pest control practices that consider the well-being of all creatures, domestic and wild, as well as the community's concerns.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the importance of protecting our beloved pets and local fauna. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences on this matter. Have you encountered similar pest control measures in your area? How do you believe such situations should be handled to ensure the safety of all animals involved? Join the conversation below and let us know what you think.
The controversy began when a concerned Sydney man, who chose to remain anonymous, noticed an unusual sight around the perimeter of the Chargrill Charlie’s Rose Bay store – chips scattered in small batches, stretching for about 40 feet. After a staff member warned him that the chips could be poisoned, he rushed his dogs to the vet to have their stomachs pumped, incurring a hefty bill of over $850. His alarm escalated upon seeing a pigeon, seemingly immobilised, on the pavement outside the store. 'That was the icing on the cake,' he said, 'I started to think, what the hell is going on here? This is insane.'
The incident, which took place last Tuesday, involved a professional pest controller and has since sparked a community uproar. When contacted, a staff member at the store suggested that the pest control measures were intended only for birds and that the chemical used wouldn't be strong enough to affect dogs. However, the pest controller responsible for the operation later claimed on social media that the chips were not poisoned but were used for 'pre-baiting' pigeons. Despite this claim, his post was met with furious responses and has since been deleted.
Pest control by a Sydney chicken shop raised concerns, leading to dogs having their stomachs pumped as a precaution. Credit: Google Maps
The local council, Woollahra Council, confirmed that it had directed the restaurant to implement measures to prevent pests from entering the premises, such as screens and door seals. However, the council clarified that it had issued no direction regarding baiting or poisoning of birds.
The community's concern extends beyond domestic pets to the potential impact on local wildlife. Wildlife carers have expressed worry that native birds, including seagulls, could be harmed by the poisoning. There's also fear of secondary poisoning affecting powerful owls, peregrine falcons, and osprey, which could consume affected pigeons – a known prey species.
The dog walker, still seeking answers, has collected samples of the chips for testing, hoping to uncover which poison was used. 'The whole thing seemed slightly bonkers,' he said, frustrated by the lack of transparency about the pest mitigation program. Fortunately, his dogs have remained in good health post-incident.
Chargrill Charlie's, owned by Craveable Brands – which also owns Oporto and Red Rooster – has responded to the incident through a PR firm. While they did not disclose the poison used or the species targeted, they stated that the 'health and well-being of our customers and communities' is their number one priority and assured that the pest control methods were compliant with industry standards.
This incident is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between urban living and wildlife management. It highlights the need for transparency and responsible pest control practices that consider the well-being of all creatures, domestic and wild, as well as the community's concerns.
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