Canadian tourist convicted of animal cruelty after taking flamingo from Las Vegas hotel

A Canadian tourist was convicted on Monday of felony and misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges after he removed a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo named Peach by the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and carried the bird to his hotel room on March 3. Prosecutors said the act caused the bird physical pain, noting feathers and blood found on the floor and video of the flamingo squawking while being handled.

The defendant, Mitchell Fairbarn, was sentenced to house arrest while awaiting a sentencing hearing set for 1 December, where he faces up to four years in prison for the felony count and an additional six months for the misdemeanor.

"He should not have done that, should not have gone into the habitat, shouldn’t have touched a bird, shouldn’t have taken Peachy inside," defense attorney Josh Tomsheck told jurors, adding that Fairbarn was intoxicated and regretted his “bad decisions.”

Veterinarian Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital, said Peachy was largely unharmed but appeared more anxious after the incident. Nevada animal-rights advocate John Waudby said the verdict sent a clear message about protecting animals in the state.

Fairbarn declined to comment after the verdict and left the courtroom with his wife. The case follows a police response that located the flamingo with missing feathers and wing injuries after security staff reported the theft.