Chicken shop’s ‘bonkers’ pest control plan sparks intense backlash: ‘Not okay’

Sydney: A chicken shop in Rose Bay has stirred up quite a fuss with its pest control plan. Dog owners are worried after a man had to rush his pets to the vet, fearing they might eat poisoned chips scattered around the store.

The chips were laid out to lure pigeons, but the sight of a sick pigeon nearby raised alarms. One dog owner shared that he spent over $850 to ensure his dogs were safe after a staff member warned him about the chips.

He described the chips as being spread out over a long stretch, making it easy for dogs to munch on them. The whole situation felt a bit crazy to him, especially after seeing that pigeon.

When contacted, a staff member at the chicken shop claimed the pest control was only meant for birds and wouldn’t harm dogs. However, a pest controller later admitted on social media that the chips were just for “pre-baiting” and not poisoned.

This didn’t sit well with the community. Many locals expressed their anger online, with one person saying they’d throw the chips back into the store if they saw them again.

Wildlife carers are also worried about the impact on local birds, especially since the area has a lot of seagulls and ibis. The local council has since instructed the shop to take measures to keep pests out without resorting to baiting or poisoning.

Despite the chaos, the dog owner is still seeking clarity on what exactly was used in the pest control. He even collected samples of the chips for testing. So far, his dogs are doing fine, but the whole incident has left many in the community feeling uneasy.