Posted on 02/07/2005 10:43:28 AM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
A New Smyrna Beach man who witnesses said bit off a parrot's head during a billiards game faces animal cruelty charges, the Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman said today.
Bruce J. Coates, 34, told deputies he had been drinking and couldn’t remember what happened. But witnesses told investigators that during a billiards game early Sunday morning, Coates grabbed the parrot off the shoulder of another player, put the bird’s head in his mouth and bit it off, said spokesman Gary Davidson.
The incident occurred at a party the recreation room of the Saddle Club Estates community near S.R. 44 and S.R. 415. Coates fled the clubhouse after the 1 a.m. incident.
The parrot’s owner called the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at about 8 a.m. Sunday to report the incident. When contacted by deputies later, Coates said he was sorry and offered to replace the parrot, according to Davidson.
Coates has been charged 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.
This parrot is no more. He has ceased to be.
Im sorry, were all outa Norweigen Blues.
What else do you have?
Well ive got a slug.
Now THAT'S the just punishment. Force Coates to sit in a bird cage for the next 10 years living on sunflower seeds, nuts and tap water. And if he gets too loud, you put him in the garage for awhile and shut off the lights!
That works for me.
Assuming that smoking was allowed in this redneck bar, the owner was actually killing the bird without the drunk's help.
FWIW, I take my parrot places but always in a carrier and I will let her out only in controlled situations. We have dinner out from time to time but always in ourdoor areas of restaurants when the weather is nice and not during peak hours so her noise can't bother other customers.
It's fun for her and cuts down on the boredom but there's no way I would take her anywhere I didn't feel she was safe.
Actually, that's what he gets for teaching his parrot to say, "Bite me!".
bttt
I amm totally confused. Are we in a comedy act? I don't know who is in the act and who is not.
I don't know either....I'm just here for the free drinks and the happy hour snacks....
NeverGore :^)
That is why I have so much respect for Kosher food laws---(the old ones at least) quick, merciful kills.
Killing only for food or other needs etc. I have no problem with that. I eat meat, I wear leather, I have helped butcher, skin, scale lots of critters. That isn't my issue.
Mine is with mindless cruelty. I do want to beat someone silly who kills, well, 'just cuz'. Even more contempt for those who torture animals. That is where I get miffy.
BTW, those bird prices are based on numbers I get from the "Fid" (Bird) forums I am on. The birds in the 5 digits are rare in captivity or endangered. There are many private owners in the country now who are breeding these birds to increase their numbers. Many breeds of Macaws and Cockatoos used to be that expensive, but private breeding has brought the price down.
I know a couple that has a breeding pair of Hyacinths ($20,000) that have 2 to three clutches of 2 to 4 babies a year. They are kept in a very special climate controlled room with coded locks and a TV monitor. They opened the door once and let me look (through a window).
Do the math ;) on their investment and their possible profit :) But mostly, they are trying to increase the population of Hys in the world.
They won't let me set foot in their house because I have birds birds and could bring in disease. So when I visit them, I have to sit on the patio. Fair enough I guess.
Fla. man charged with biting head off bird
EDGEWATER, Fla. (AP) -- 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.
Oh, since he is a firefighter I will cut him some slack.
Still I hope his momma lets him have it. And his brothers, and his sisters and his wife. And I hate to wish this on any man, but I hope his daughters get on his case.
He needs to quit drinking.
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