Canadian tourist accused of kidnapping, torturing flamingo in Las Vegas hotel
Editor’s note: This article contains details of animal abuse that could be disturbing to some readers.
A Canadian was arrested and is now facing serious charges after allegedly stealing and torturing a flamingo in a Las Vegas hotel.
On Tuesday morning, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call from the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel about a guest who had been detained by hotel security for breaking into the flamingo wildlife habitat, local TV station KLAS 8 News Now reports.
According to surveillance footage obtained by the police, Ontario resident Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, entered the enclosure at 5 a.m. and grabbed a bird named Peachy, allegedly injuring other animals in the process. Footage shows him pinning down a second bird before returning to a hotel room with the animal.
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Fairbarn was arrested, and police stated that they found photos and videos on his phone showing him torturing the animal. According to animal control, he allegedly “pulled the wing out of the bird’s body.” Another video indicated Fairbarn’s plan to take the bird home. Police also found “a large bloody feather” in the hotel room.
Although Fairbarn admitted to trespassing in the enclosure, he told police that he had popped the flamingo’s wing back into place due to his knowledge of animals as “a farm boy.”
Fairbarn faces four counts of felony animal abuse. According to another report by KLAS 8 News Now, a felony charge of animal abuse carries a US$5,000 fine and a maximum of four years in prison.
During a hearing on Wednesday, a judge set bail at US$12,000. Fairbarn is banned from the Las Vegas Strip and from having any animals in his possession. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.
Flamingo Las Vegas hotel is owned by Caesars Entertainment, and according to its website, the wildlife habitat is home to a flock of Chilean flamingos, brown pelicans, several species of exotic and waterfowl. A spokesperson for the hotel stated that Peachy is currently being cared for by veterinarians and the habitat’s flamingo animal care team.
“We remain hopeful they will make a full recovery,” they stated.
A Canadian couple was recently sentenced to prison after admitting to selling videos of themselves torturing and killing animals online.
With files from Isabelle Docto