A Canadian man is facing animal cruelty charges after capturing a flamingo from a well-known Las Vegas casino habitat and bringing it back to his hotel room. Unsavory photos emerged of the incident that took place at about 5am on Tuesday at the Flamingo resort on the Strip. He broke into the habitat and injured several birds while trying to catch one.
Law enforcement found videos of Mitchell Fairbarn torturing the flamingo in his room by kicking it and laughing as he threw it to the ground. The audio features screams from the bird. He admitted to being drunk and said that his actions were “repulsive.”
facing four counts of torturing, maiming, or killing an animal kept for companionship or pleasure
He is now facing four counts of torturing, maiming, or killing an animal kept for companionship or pleasure. The property’s owner, Caesars Entertainment, labeled the 33-year-old’s actions “deeply distressing.” It said that the birds impacted, including “Peachy,” who was brought to the hotel room, are undergoing treatment and should make a full recovery.
Fairbarn, who says he earns $100,000 per month, is now out of custody after posting $12,000 bail. He will be electronically monitored, will have to avoid the Strip, surrender his passport, and will not be in possession of any animals ahead of his court hearing on March 9.
