Canadian man convicted of animal cruelty after taking Las Vegas flamingo

Ontario man Mitchell Fairbarn was found guilty of animal cruelty after taking a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on March 3, according to the Associated Press. He was convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges. Fairbarn’s trial began Oct. 13, and the 33-year-old told the court he drank “30 to 40 beers” on the night of the incident. Jurors deliberated for five hours before reaching a verdict, local media reported.

Fairbarn’s defence lawyer argued that intoxication, rather than an intention to harm the bird, led to his actions, describing them as “bad decisions” made while drunk. Fairbarn testified, “I was trying to make an experience or a memory… I thought at the time that it would be some silly joke,” according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Prosecutors maintained that he deliberately caused the flamingo physical pain. They pointed to surveillance footage showing him carrying the squawking bird through the hotel, as well as evidence of missing feathers and injuries. Local authorities reported that Peachy was missing seven to eight feathers, had blood on its feathers and had wing injuries when it was found.

Fairbarn faces up to four years in prison for the felony conviction and a possible additional six months for the misdemeanor. He remains under house arrest while awaiting sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 1. Peachy is reportedly doing well physically, though veterinarian Tiffany Moore testified that the flamingo has shown increased anxiety and nervousness during examinations, the AP reported.