An infestation of birds at a popular chicken shop in Sydney’s upmarket eastern suburbs has suddenly disappeared after locals were warned not to allow dogs to eat street scraps.
Bosses at Rose Bay Chargrill Charlie’s admit they brought in pest controllers after reports of pigeon and ibis infestations at the establishment, but insist only safe methods were used.
Nothing could tempt a bird to try and eat a chip thrown on the pavement outside the fast food shop when Daily Mail Australia visited on Wednesday.
The remaining birds in the area refused to leave their perches in the nearby trees even though there were delicious treats on the ground for them.
Locals had previously photographed ibis on tables inside the store while searching for leftovers, but they were noticeably absent during the weekday lunch rush.
Pet owners in Rose Bay were alerted to the bird crackdown on the local community Facebook group, with a warning to be on the lookout for dogs accidentally eating baited traps.
It also included an image of a pigeon allegedly dying on the nearby footpath on New South Head Road, which the local said had been referred to police.
New South Wales Police confirmed it had received the report but was not taking any further action.
The ibises had previously been photographed inside Rose Bay Chargrill Charlie’s searching for scraps, but had disappeared when Daily Mail Australia visited on Wednesday.
There were not a bird in sight at Chargrill Charlies in Rose Bay on Wednesday and none could be tempted by the chips being thrown at them on the street.
A concerned member of the Rose Bay Community and Business Facebook group warned locals about pest control measures at the Chargrill Charlie’s store, posting a photo of this “dying” pigeon.
The store manager admitted that the poultry shop had been infested with birds and admitted that they had taken action, but declined to comment further.
“There used to be a lot of birds,” he told Daily Mail Australia. “But I can’t comment.”
However, management at Chargrill Charlie’s Sydney headquarters confirmed that they had hired experts to address the issue using proven and safe methods.
“Our restaurants partner with licensed pest control providers to ensure a clean and safe environment for our customers and team members,” a company spokesperson said.
“We can confirm that all pest control methods are tested and safe.”
Chargrill Charlie’s began in 1989 with an outlet in the seaside suburb of Coogee, which has become a national success with a large celebrity following.
The popular fast food business was founded by Maon and Saul Sher and offers home-cooked takeaway meals, including its signature grilled chicken and chips, as well as casseroles, roasted potatoes and vegetables and a wide variety of prepared salads.
The business is now owned by Craveable Brands, owners of fast food chains Oporto, Red Rooster and Chicken Treat, who bought it last year.
It had 17 outlets in Sydney at the time of acquisition and employed around 500 people.