A night out in Las Vegas took an unexpected and peculiar twist for a Canadian visitor who, according to authorities, ended up in a bizarre encounter with one of the city’s iconic flamingos. The tourist reportedly strolled into a casino resort and made off with a resident flamingo, carrying the bird back to his hotel room.
Mitchell Fairbarn, aged 33, was taken into custody on Tuesday, facing four felony charges related to animal mistreatment. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that Fairbarn allegedly removed a flamingo, known as Peachy, from the resort’s outdoor sanctuary at around 5 a.m.
The incident caused quite a stir, with security camera footage purportedly capturing Fairbarn entering the habitat and seizing the flamingo by its legs in a rough manner.
Police noted that other birds in the enclosure sustained injuries during the episode.
Mitchell Fairbarn is charged with four felony counts of animal cruelty after his alleged abduction of Peachy, the flamingo, from a wildlife area on the Las Vegas Strip. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Authorities claim that Fairbarn transported Peachy to his room on the 14th floor, where officers later discovered feathers and traces of blood.
Police also cited video from a cellphone that they say shows the 33-year-old posing with the bird in the casino’s hallways and hotel room.
Las Vegas flamingo named Peachy was injured after a Canadian man allegedly grabbed him from his casino habitat during a drinking binge. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
When interviewed by officers, Fairbarn said he had been drinking and claimed he was attempting to help the flamingo, telling police he believed the bird’s wing was injured and that he was trying to “pop it back into place,” according to an arrest report obtained by FOX 5.
Police described the handling as harmful and intentional. Peachy’s wing was injured during the incident and the bird is receiving veterinary care, hotel officials said.
Mitchell Fairbarn allegedly grabbed a flamingo from the Flamingo Las Vegas wildlife habitat at 5 a.m. and brought the injured bird to his 14th-floor room, police say. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
According to the resort and casino, the Flamingo’s wildlife habitat, an attraction at the Caesars Entertainment property, houses Chilean flamingos and other animals in a garden setting just steps from casino floors and cocktail service.
In a statement, Caesars Entertainment condemned the incident, calling it “cruel and unlawful behavior” and saying the company is cooperating with law enforcement.
“Our wildlife habitat team works diligently to ensure the health and safety of the animals in our care,” they said.
Las Vegas police charged Mitchell Fairbarn with four felony counts after authorities say he removed a flamingo from a casino habitat, injuring the bird and others in the enclosure. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)
Fairbarn remains in custody pending court proceedings. His initial court date is scheduled for Monday, March 9.
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