Mitchell Fairbarn, the Canadian tourist who stole a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo from a Las Vegas hotel and took him up to his room, has been found guilty of animal cruelty charges.
The incident took place at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on March 3, with video footage showing a shirtless Fairbarn, who claimed to have drunk “30 to 40” beers, holding the bird, named Peachy, in his arms and by the neck as he took it on an elevator and up to his room around 5 a.m.
After being convicted on felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, he faces up to four years in prison for the felony and possibly six more months for the misdemeanor conviction. He remains on house arrest, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for December 1, according to the CBC.
Man Who Stole Peachy the Flamingo Sobs in Court After Being Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty Charges
Mitchell Fairbarn, 34, was found guilty of one felony and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty on October 19, after jurors deliberated for about five hours on his fate in a Las Vegas courtroom. Fairbarn made headlines after video footage showed him taking Peachy the flamingo from its habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and taking it up to his room in March.
Fairbarn was accused of “willfully, unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously” injuring Peachy on March 3, with Fairbarn entering a not guilty plea at the time. Fairbarn called the incident “a silly joke” and said that he had no malicious intent when he took Peachy. He also admitted that he had drunk extensively, sharing in the courtroom (via Fox 5 Las Vegas), “I thought it would be, at the time, funny.”
Inside the courtroom, Fairbarn’s lawyer Joshua Tomsheck stated, “The truth is, Mitch was drunk. Mitch was stupid. He made bad decisions,” according to CBC.
Fox 5 also shared video footage that showed Fairbarn jumping into the flamingo habitat and taking Peachy. The clip also showed him grabbing the bird by its neck and admitting that he would “take it home.” Peachy looked distressed, flapping his wings while Fairbarn attempted to grab him.
Peachy was with Fairbarn for 15 minutes and approximately two to three minutes inside his hotel room, before being led into the hallway. A hotel facilities engineer who was looking for the flamingo was eventually able to secure him in a towel and told the court on the stand that the bird was bleeding and shaking.
Since his arrest in March, Fairbarn has been unable to leave the U.S. and has remained on house arrest. His sentencing hearing is set for December 1, at which he could face jail time.
How is Peachy Doing?
According to CBC, Peachy’s veterinarian testified in court about the injuries the flamingo sustained, describing “seven to eight missing feathers, broken feather shafts, and blood loss consistent with trauma.”
To help Peachy heal, the flamingo needed antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and weeks of pain medication.
CBS News provided an update on Peachy since the ordeal back in March, with its vet stating that it is physically okay, but is “anxious and nervous” around people.
Las Vegas Tourist Faces Potential Prison Time After Taking Flamingo Named Peachy to Hotel Room