Firefighter Accused Of Biting Head Off Pet Parrot

Report: 34-Year-Old Offers To Replace The Parrot

An Edgewater, Fla., firefighter faces animal cruelty charges after allegedly biting the head off a pet parrot during a pre-Super Bowl party, according to Local 6 News. Police said the incident occurred at a party early Sunday morning at the home of Bruce Coates, 34, (pictured, left) of the Saddle Club Estates community near state Road 44 and state Road 415. Coates, 34, told deputies that he was drinking alcohol and couldn’t remember what happened. He was apologetic and offered to replace the parrot, according to the sheriff's report. Witnesses told deputies that Coates and several other people were playing billiards. The parrot was on one of the player's shoulder when Coates grabbed the parrot, put the bird’s head in his mouth and bit it off. Witnesses said blood splattered on the wall and formed a puddle on the carpet. Coates fled the clubhouse after the incident. On Sunday, deputies filed a complaint affidavit charging Coates with a felony count of animal cruelty and one count of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor offense. The Sheriff’s Office plans to seek a warrant for Coates' arrest.

(Local 6 article here)