In brief
During a bar‑bender in March, 34‑year‑old Mitchell Fairbarn stole a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Video footage captured him carrying the bird into his hotel room after drinking 30‑40 beers. The animal suffered feather loss and blood loss, but has since largely recovered, though it now displays increased anxiety around people. Fairbarn was convicted on felony animal‑abuse charges and faces nearly five years behind bars. The case highlights the need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws at commercial venues.
A 34‑year‑old visitor to Las Vegas, Canada's Mitchell Fairbarn, has been found guilty of animal cruelty after drunkenly abducting a Chilean flamingo from the hotel’s free‑entry wildlife habitat.
The incident took place in March when Fairbarn, who said he had consumed between 30 and 40 beers, snatched a bird named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, lifted it in his hand, and carried it up the elevator into his hotel room.
Video evidence shown at the trial captured Fairbarn smiling as he thrust the bird through the enclosure gates and tripped through the elevator shaft. Forensic testimony confirmed the flamingo had feather loss and was bleeding at several points.
“The bird suffered because the man grabbed it by the neck and walked through the habitat,” said an expert witness. The animal has since largely recovered, but a state veterinarian reports it now displays heightened anxiety around humans.
Fairbarn’s lawyer argued the act was a harmless prank and blamed alcohol for a "bad decision." However, the jury convicted him on felony and misdemeanor animal‑abuse charges after reviewing over 112 pieces of evidence.
He now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Until the sentencing hearing in December, Fairbarn is being held on house arrest in Las Vegas and cannot leave the United States.
