On Monday, October 19th, a Canadian man was convicted of animal cruelty for stealing a flamingo from a prominent hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The prosecutor labeled the incident as a malicious prank.
According to the prosecution, the tourist, Mitchell Fairbarn, took a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo named “Peachy” from its habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino back in March. He brought the squawking bird to his room, causing it distress and injury.
During the trial in a Nevada court, Fairbarn’s defense attorney, Josh Tomsheck, expressed remorse on behalf of his client, attributing his actions to a regrettable decision made under the influence of alcohol.
The trial lasted approximately five hours, during which the jury examined 112 pieces of evidence and heard testimonies from 14 witnesses before reaching verdicts on felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
Fairbarn is currently under house arrest awaiting a sentencing hearing on December 1st, potentially facing up to 4 years in prison for the felony charge and an additional 6 months for the misdemeanor.
The medical director of the Lone Mountain Animal Hospital, Tiffany Moore, stated that despite the incident, “Peachy” is in decent physical condition but exhibits increased anxiety and nervousness during examinations.
The prosecution argued that Fairbarn deliberately harmed the bird, as feathers were found on the hotel floor. Video evidence showed the bird screaming when captured, indicating distress and pain.
In a closing statement on Monday, the prosecution played a video from March 3rd where Fairbarn mentioned drinking 30-40 beers within 24 hours and carrying the flamingo through the hotel’s corridors, claiming it was to show his friends.
Las Vegas authorities responded to a security alert at the hotel, finding “Peachy” with several feathers missing, bloodstains, and wing injuries. The interaction between the bird and Fairbarn lasted around 15 minutes before it was returned to the hallway after a brief period in his room.
Fairbarn defended his actions to the jury, stating he intended to show the flamingo to his friends and had no intention of mistreating the animal.
Tomsheck, the defense attorney, acknowledged the foolishness of his client’s actions, attributing them to alcohol-induced poor judgment, emphasizing Fairbarn’s lack of intent to harm the bird.
Prosecutor Haley Willming of Clark County revealed that Fairbarn faced death threats after the incident, and his father’s passing while awaiting trial further compounded his regrettable decisions.
Animal rights advocate John Waudby expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling, hoping it would serve as a deterrent to those who may contemplate harming animals in Nevada.
The Flamingo Hotel, one of the oldest establishments on the Las Vegas Strip, boasts a renowned habitat for flamingos, hummingbirds, turtles, koi fish, and other species.
(This article referenced reporting from CBS NEWS)