A man who previously killed an ibis was charged in court on Sunday after allegedly injuring native birds in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Tom Quach, 61, has served jail time for animal cruelty and has been warned to stay away from all native birds.
Police were called to Anzac Parade, Malabar, at around 5.30pm on Saturday following reports of animal cruelty.
When officers arrived, they were told that a man had allegedly used fishing line to capture two long-beaked corellas before putting them in a suitcase and then leaving the scene with them.
Shocked witnesses watched Quach “wave” the closed business as he walked into his unit block.
After investigating, police went to a nearby home where they found the two injured birds in an animal basket.
“Both birds have been taken to a Sydney vet in stable conditions where they are being treated,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
Police arrested Quach at the house before taking him to Maroubra police station.
Tom Quach (pictured) has served jail time for animal cruelty and has been warned to stay away from all native birds
Quach reportedly used fishing line to capture two long-beaked corellas before putting them in a suitcase and leaving the scene with them. Stock image of two long-beaked corellas
“Police will allege that the man shook the suitcase containing the two native birds, injuring them,” the spokesperson added.
Quach, who is originally from Vietnam, was charged with committing cruelty to an animal and harming or attempting to harm a protected animal.
He did not apply for bail when he appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
In August 2023, Quach was jailed for capturing and killing an ibis in a public park before trying to cook it for dinner.
At the time, Waverley Local Court heard that he captured an ibis, affectionately known as a 'bakkien', in a park in May 2023 before putting it in his backpack and returning to his home.
He then decapitated the ibis and hung it in the shower to dry it out before trying to cook it.
His lawyer Hayley Le told the court Quach was confused about the ibis's protected status as he had previously captured and eaten the bird in Queensland.
Ms Le said her client had “less moral culpability than others” due to mental illness and a “very serious drug problem on which he spends most of his pension”.
Despite her asking that Quach not go to jail, he was sentenced to six months behind bars and a $600 fine.
