In brief
Mitchell Fairbarn, 34, stole a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino’s free‑to‑walk habitat while heavily intoxicated. Video footage showed him laughing and carrying the bird by the neck on an elevator. A jury convicted him on felony and misdemeanor animal‑abuse charges after reviewing over 112 pieces of evidence. He faces up to nearly five years in prison, remains on house arrest, and the flamingo is recovering but now anxious around humans.
Mitchell Fairbarn, 34, was found guilty of felony and misdemeanor animal abuse after he stole a Chilean flamingo named Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino’s free‑to‑walk wildlife habitat.
The judge accepted video showing Fairbarn, laughing, carrying the bird by its neck as he rode an elevator to his hotel room after reportedly drinking 30 to 40 beers.
Animal experts presented evidence that the flamingo was ripped up, with feathers torn and blood loss during the incident, although a veterinarian later said the bird has mostly recovered and now displays a nervous attitude near humans.
A jury heard testimony from 14 witnesses and reviewed over 112 pieces of evidence, convicting Fairbarn in about five hours, with the sentencing hearing set for December. He faces up to nearly five years in prison and remains on house arrest. His lawyer blamed alcohol for the “bad decisions” and said he had no intention to harm the animal.
Fairbarn has received threatening messages since his arrest, forcing the authorities to keep him under stricter supervision. The case has raised concerns about animal safety at Las Vegas attractions.
