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Paramedic in bird case to work again...
EDGEWATER -- A lieutenant paramedic arrested on charges of animal cruelty after the head of a parrot was bitten off is being allowed to go back to work, Edgewater officials said Wednesday.
Bruce J. Coates of New Smyrna Beach turned himself in to authorities at Edgewater City Hall a day after the party where witnesses said he killed the Quaker parrot. Coates was placed on administrative leave from Edgewater Fire-Rescue, where he has worked since 1991.
He has not been convicted of a crime, Edgewater officials said.
Coates will be demoted to firefighter/paramedic, will take a 15 percent pay cut and will be placed on workplace probation for a year, officials said. As part of the "last-chance agreement," Coates also must undergo physical and mental assessments.
Coates' first day back at work will be March 2, officials said. He will retain his status as a firefighter/paramedic pending the outcome of a court trial.
EDGEWATER -- A lieutenant paramedic arrested on charges of animal cruelty after the head of a parrot was bitten off is being allowed to go back to work, Edgewater officials said Wednesday.
Bruce J. Coates of New Smyrna Beach turned himself in to authorities at Edgewater City Hall a day after the party where witnesses said he killed the Quaker parrot. Coates was placed on administrative leave from Edgewater Fire-Rescue, where he has worked since 1991.
He has not been convicted of a crime, Edgewater officials said.
Coates will be demoted to firefighter/paramedic, will take a 15 percent pay cut and will be placed on workplace probation for a year, officials said. As part of the "last-chance agreement," Coates also must undergo physical and mental assessments.
Coates' first day back at work will be March 2, officials said. He will retain his status as a firefighter/paramedic pending the outcome of a court trial.