Canadian Who Stole Flamingo from Vegas Resort Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty

Mitchell Fairbarn, a 34-year-old tourist from Canada, was found guilty on animal cruelty charges earlier this week after stealing a flamingo named Peachy from its enclosure at the aptly named Flamingo Las Vegas resort. Court Finds Fairbarn Guilty of Stealing the Flamingo and Hurting It in the Process The Flamingo is one of the oldest hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Its popular flamingo habitat also houses hummingbirds, turtles, koi fish, and several other species. Surveillance footage presented during the trial showed Fairbarn smiling as he carried the flamingo by its neck while taking an elevator to his hotel room. He testified that he had consumed between 30 and 40 beers before the incident, insisting that he had no intention of hurting the bird. Animal experts told the court that the flamingo had suffered feather loss and blood loss as a result of Fairbarn’s actions. Fairbarn’s lawyer argued that the incident was meant to be a harmless prank, attributing his client’s “bad decisions” to alcohol consumption. Fairbarn had received death threats after taking the flamingo and was unable to leave the United States when his father died while he was awaiting trial. Clark County prosecutor Haley Willming said acknowledged that these circumstances were unfortunate. However, she argued that they could have been avoided had Fairbarn not taken the bird and made the decisions that led to the incident. This wasn’t the only complication that arose during the trial. Earlier during the trial, Judge Jacqueline Bluth, who oversaw the case, removed a prospective juror who made a profane remark about the defendant in a courthouse hallway. Bluth reasoned that the juror could not have remained impartial following the remark. Fairbarn remains under house arrest until his sentencing hearing on December 1. He could receive up to four years in prison for the felony offense, along with an additional six months for the misdemeanor conviction. After the verdict, he left the courtroom with his wife without addressing reporters. His lawyer also refused to comment. What Happened After Fairbarn Stole Peachy? Las Vegas police arrived at the scene after security personnel reported that Peachy had been taken. Authorities said the bird was later found with seven to eight missing feathers, blood on its feathers, and injuries to its wings. According to Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital and Peachy’s veterinarian, the flamingo has remained physically stable since the incident. However, it has become more anxious and nervous during examinations. Nevada animal rights advocate John Waudby, who recently helped strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws, said the verdict delivered justice for Peachy. He expressed hope that the outcome would serve as a warning to others that animal cruelty would not be tolerated in Nevada. In other news from Las Vegas, Clark County has installed signs on the Strip reminding tourists that tipping street performers is not required. This has sparked a conversation over stronger enforcement and performer permits.