Man Faces Felony Charges for Allegedly Stealing Flamingo from Las Vegas Hotel
A visitor to Las Vegas is facing legal charges after allegedly taking a flamingo from the Flamingo hotel and bringing it back to his room, causing harm to the bird. Mitchell Fairbarn, a 33-year-old man from Ontario, Canada, is accused of four counts of felony animal abuse. The incident occurred on March 3 when hotel staff reported a man, later identified as Fairbarn, breaking into the flamingo habitat and harming multiple birds. Surveillance footage showed Fairbarn entering the habitat and taking a bird back to his hotel room.
Fairbarn reportedly confessed to police that he entered the habitat to help a distressed flamingo by "popping" its wing back into place, claiming he had knowledge of this practice from his experience with farm animals. Police found photos and videos on Fairbarn's phone showing him with the bird. Animal control determined that the bird was injured when Fairbarn pulled its wing out of its body.
During a court hearing, Fairbarn's bail was set at $12,000, and he was ordered to have no animals in his possession and to surrender his passport. If he posts bond, he must stay away from the Las Vegas Strip. Fairbarn posted bond but remained in custody at the Clark County Detention Center.
The Flamingo hotel, owned by Caesars Entertainment, houses a variety of bird species in its habitat, including Chilean Flamingos and Brown Pelicans. The hotel did not provide immediate comment on the incident.