In Las Vegas, a Canadian man was found guilty of animal cruelty for taking a flamingo named Peachy from its home at a famous hotel in a drunken and malicious act. Mitchell Fairbarn faced charges of injuring the flamingo on March 3, following a night of heavy drinking. Despite pleading not guilty, Fairbarn was convicted of felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty after a trial that started last week.

The court determined that Fairbarn, a contractor from rural Ontario, entered the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in the early hours of the morning and took the flamingo, thinking it would be a humorous prank. Video evidence showed Fairbarn handling the bird in an elevator and hotel hallway. Witnesses testified that Fairbarn and his friends had been drinking heavily before the incident occurred.

Upon being apprehended, Peachy was found injured, with missing feathers, broken shafts, and signs of trauma. The flamingo required medical treatment, including antibiotics and pain medication for recovery. Fairbarn expressed remorse in court, attributing his actions to intoxication and poor judgment.

The court proceedings highlighted the impact of the incident on animal welfare, leading to a discussion about the seriousness of such actions. Despite Fairbarn’s regrets and acknowledgment of wrongdoing, he faces potential prison time for the felony conviction. The incident also shed light on previous cases of animal cruelty at Las Vegas casinos, emphasizing the importance of protecting wildlife in such environments.