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Post: True Story-Sad

Posted by los on 2/19/05

EDGEWATER, Fla. - A firefighter accused of biting the head
off a pet parrot at a party was charged with felony animal
cruelty Monday and placed on administrative leave.

Lt. Bruce Coates, 34, was booked into the Volusia County
Branch Jail but was expected be released on his own
recognizance after meeting with court officials Tuesday, a
jail official said.

Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said witnesses told
deputies that the off-duty Coates was at a party early
Sunday when he took the Quaker parrot, valued at $200, off
someone else's shoulder, put the bird's head in his mouth
and bit it off.

The parrot's owner later called the sheriff's office.

Coates told deputies he had been drinking alcohol and
could
not remember what happened. However, he was apologetic and
offered to replace the parrot, Davidson told The Daytona
Beach News-Journal.

Edgewater Fire Chief Tracey Barlow said Coates, with the
department since 1991, came to him Sunday and told him
about the incident.

He will stay on leave with pay pending the outcome of the
investigation, Edgewater fire spokeswoman Jennifer Smith
said.

Posts on this thread, including this one

True Story-Sad, 2/19/05, by los.

Re: True Story-Sad, 2/20/05, by LindaC in OK.

Re: True Story-Sad, 2/22/05, by Terra.

Re: True Story-to Terra, 2/22/05, by MKay.

Re: True Story-Sad, 10/04/05, by Amberly.

Re: True Story-Sad, 10/06/05, by Kitty.J.

Re: True Story-to Terra, 10/07/05, by Mickie/ To Terra.