In brief
Mitchell Fairbarn, a 34‑year‑old Canadian, was found guilty of animal cruelty after capturing a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino’s free‑walking habitat. The incident took place while he was indulging in an alcohol‑fueled binge and he admitted having drunk 30–40 beers before taking the bird. A jury convicted him on felony and misdemeanour animal abuse charges, facing up to nearly five years in prison, after reviewing over 112 pieces of evidence. Fairbarn remains on house arrest and a sentencing hearing is set for December. Veterinary experts report that Peachy has largely recovered but remains more anxious around humans.
Mitchell Fairbarn, a 34‑year‑old Canadian, was found guilty of animal cruelty after capturing a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino’s free‑walking habitat. The incident took place while he was indulging in an alcohol‑fueled binge.
At the trial, video footage showed Fairbarn holding the bird by the neck as he rode the elevator. He admitted having drunk 30–40 beers before the act and said he never intended to harm the animal, but experts testified that Peachy suffered torn feathers and blood loss.
The jury heard from 14 witnesses and reviewed over 112 pieces of evidence. After about five hours, they convicted him of felony and misdemeanour animal abuse charges and gave a sentence of up to nearly five years in prison.
Fairbarn’s lawyer, Josh Tomsheck, called the incident a harmless prank and blamed alcohol for his poor decisions, noting that his client had received death threats since his arrest. In addition, the defendant has been unable to leave the United States and remains on house arrest, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for December.
A state veterinarian reported that Peachy has largely recovered, though the bird remains more anxious around humans after the ordeal.
Source: CBS and BBC
