OMM Newsroom
A Canadian tourist has been found guilty of animal cruelty after taking a flamingo from its enclosure at a Las Vegas hotel and casino and bringing it to his room during a night of heavy drinking, the BBC reported.
Mitchell Fairbarn took Peachy, a Chilean flamingo, from the “Flamingo Las Vegas” in March. Videos shown at his trial showed him smiling as he carried the bird by the neck into a lift.
Fairbarn, 34, testified that he had consumed 30 to 40 beers before the incident and did not intend to hurt the bird. He said he thought taking it would be “funny”.
Animal experts told the trial that Peachy had feathers torn out and suffered blood loss as a result of Fairbarn’s actions. A state veterinarian said the flamingo has largely recovered but is now more anxious around people.
Fairbarn’s lawyer, Josh Tomsheck, said the act was meant as a harmless prank and blamed alcohol for his client’s “bad decisions”. “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,” Tomsheck said.
“The truth is, Mitch was drunk. Mitch was stupid. He made bad decisions,” the lawyer added. He also said Fairbarn had received death threats since his arrest.
Fairbarn testified that he had been drinking all night and had just ended a call with a colleague when he decided to take the bird.
The hotel and casino, located on the Las Vegas Strip, has a wildlife habitat that visitors can enter for free. It is home to a flock of Chilean flamingos, as well as other birds, fish and turtles.
The jury heard from 14 witnesses and reviewed more than 112 pieces of evidence, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner. Jurors took about five hours to find Fairbarn guilty of felony and misdemeanour animal abuse charges.
Fairbarn has been unable to leave the United States since his arrest and remains under house arrest in Las Vegas. His sentencing hearing is due to take place in December, and he faces nearly five years in prison.
