World · North America · 1 hr ago
Canadian man convicted of animal cruelty for taking Las Vegas flamingo
A Nevada jury convicted Canadian tourist Mitchell Fairbarn of animal cruelty for taking a flamingo named Peachy from its enclosure at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
Fairbarn carried the bird to his hotel room on March 3, after drinking heavily, according to testimony at his trial.
Prosecutors said Peachy was hurt and frightened; the bird was found with missing feathers, blood on its feathers and wing injuries.
Fairbarn's lawyer said he was drunk and did not mean to hurt the bird, while prosecutors argued that his actions caused it pain.
Peachy has largely recovered, but a veterinarian said the flamingo is more anxious around people.
Fairbarn remains under house arrest until sentencing, scheduled for December 1, and faces up to four years in prison for the felony charge and up to six more months for the misdemeanor.
Canadian tourist Mitchell Fairbarn was found guilty of felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty after taking a flamingo named Peachy from its enclosure at a Las Vegas hotel.
Jurors deliberated for about five hours before returning the convictions.
Fairbarn took the bird to his room at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on March 3.
Prosecutors said the bird was hurt and frightened; his lawyer argued Fairbarn was drunk and did not intend to harm it.
Peachy has largely recovered but is more anxious around people, according to veterinarians.
Fairbarn remains under house arrest and faces sentencing on Dec. 1.
- Who
- Mitchell Fairbarn, a Canadian tourist from Ontario, was convicted.
- What
- He was found guilty of felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty after taking Peachy, a Chilean flamingo, from its enclosure.
- When
- He took the bird on March 3. The verdict was returned on Monday.
- Where
- At the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Why
- Prosecutors said he willfully caused the bird physical pain. His lawyer said it was drunken foolishness and that Fairbarn did not intend harm.
Prosecutors
Fairbarn’s defense
Intent
Prosecutors
Prosecutors described the act as a malicious prank and said Fairbarn willfully caused the bird physical pain.
Fairbarn’s defense
The defense said Fairbarn was intoxicated and did not mean to harm the bird.
Evidence of harm
Prosecutors
Prosecutors cited feathers found on the hotel floor and video showing Peachy squawking while being handled.
Fairbarn’s defense
Fairbarn’s lawyer said he never intended harm; Fairbarn testified that he did not know how the bird lost feathers.
Fairbarn took Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino’s habitat and carried the bird to his room.
After about five hours of deliberations, jurors found Fairbarn guilty of felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled; Fairbarn remains under house arrest.
- Defendant
- Mitchell Fairbarn, an Ontario, Canada, man
- Bird
- Peachy, a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo
- Hotel
- Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
- Convictions
- Felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty
- Sentencing
- Hearing scheduled for Dec. 1
- Potential sentence
- Up to four years in prison for the felony and possibly six more months for the misdemeanor
4 sources
‘Bad decisions’: Man convicted for taking Peachy the flamingo from Las Vegas hotel
Canadian man who took Peachy the flamingo from Las Vegas hotel found guilty of animal cruelty
Canadian tourist found guilty of animal cruelty after stealing Las Vegas flamingo from enclosure
Tourist admits to drinking 30-40 beers before taking flamingo from Las Vegas casino back to his hotel room
What people are saying
The truth is, Mitch was drunk. Mitch was stupid. He made bad decisions.
none of that would have happened had he not done what he did, had he not made the choices he made
I hope this sends a message to anybody else that wants to mess with our animals, that you’re not going to do it in Nevada