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.

Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said witnesses told deputies that Lt. Bruce 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.

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Firefighter Charged With Biting Head Off Pet Parrot

Police said the incident occurred at a party at the home of Coates (pictured, left) at the Saddle Club Estates community near state Road 44 and state Road 415.

Coates 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.

Coates was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail.

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.

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