Mitchell Fairbarn, a Canadian visitor to Las Vegas, was found guilty of animal cruelty charges related to taking a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino wildlife habitat. The incident occurred in March when Fairbarn, allegedly intoxicated after consuming between 30 and 40 beers, entered the bird enclosure and removed the flamingo from its habitat, carrying it by the neck to his hotel room.
Video evidence presented during trial documented Fairbarn smiling while transporting the bird via elevator to his accommodation. During his testimony, Fairbarn acknowledged his extreme level of intoxication at the time but stated he had no intention of causing harm to the animal. He claimed the action was meant as a humorous prank. His legal representation conceded that the defendant should not have entered the habitat or handled the bird, attributing the incident to alcohol-impaired judgment and poor decision-making.
Veterinary testimony established that Peachy sustained injuries including torn feathers and blood loss from Fairbarn’s handling. A state veterinarian later confirmed the flamingo has recovered substantially but now exhibits increased anxiety when interacting with humans. The jury deliberated approximately five hours before returning guilty verdicts on both felony and misdemeanor animal abuse charges following exposure to 14 witnesses and over 112 pieces of evidence.
Fairbarn, age 34, currently remains under house arrest in Las Vegas pending sentencing proceedings scheduled for December. He has been unable to depart the United States since his arrest. His legal team reported he has received death threats following the incident’s public disclosure. The Flamingo Las Vegas features a walk-through wildlife habitat containing Chilean flamingos and other animals.
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