Jury convicts Canadian tourist of animal cruelty in taking of flamingo from Las Vegas hotel

A Nevada jury on Monday convicted a Canadian man of animal cruelty for removing a flamingo named Peachy from its habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in March, according to ABC7 New York and Boston 25 News.

Jurors in Clark County found Mitchell Fairbarn, 34, of Ontario, guilty of one felony count and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, Boston 25 News reported, citing the Las Vegas Review-Journal. ABC7 New York said the verdict came after roughly five hours of deliberation.

Prosecutors said Fairbarn hurt and frightened the 27-year-old Chilean flamingo when he took it from its enclosure on March 3 and brought it to his hotel room. Surveillance video shown at trial depicted him carrying the squawking bird through an elevator and down a hallway, according to both outlets. Boston 25 News, citing KLAS, reported that the video showed him holding the flamingo by the neck in the elevator and that he spent about 15 minutes with the bird, including up to three minutes in his room.

Authorities said that when Peachy was found, it was missing seven to eight feathers, had blood on its feathers and had wing injuries, ABC7 New York reported. Peachy's veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, told the outlet the bird is physically doing well but appears more anxious during evaluations.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Haley Willming argued the bird was used for amusement. "Peachy was the subject of his big joke," she said, according to Boston 25 News.

Defense attorney Josh Tomsheck told jurors his client regretted his actions but never intended to harm the bird, which ABC7 New York noted is a key element of the felony charge. "It was fueled by drunkenness," Tomsheck said, as reported by Boston 25 News. Fairbarn testified that he drank 30 to 40 beers over 24 hours while in Las Vegas for a construction exposition, Boston 25 News reported, citing CBC News.

Willming also told the court Fairbarn had received death threats and was unable to leave the United States when his father died while he awaited trial, according to ABC7 New York.

Outlets differed on Fairbarn's current status. ABC7 New York reported he remains under house arrest, while Boston 25 News, citing KLAS, said he has been in custody since his arrest.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1. ABC7 New York reported he faces up to four years in prison on the felony and up to six additional months on the misdemeanor, consistent with the maximum of 4½ years cited by Boston 25 News. Fairbarn declined to comment as he left the courtroom with his wife, ABC7 New York reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Boston 25 News, WSB-TV, ABC7 New York and 6abc Action News. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/285