Canadian Tourist on Trial in Las Vegas for Stealing Hotel Flamingo
A Canadian tourist on trial in Las Vegas for allegedly stealing a hotel flamingo, taking it to his 14th-floor room after drinking dozens of beers.
What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas. A Canadian tourist visiting the famous gambling city found himself on trial after allegedly snatching a flamingo from the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo hotel, carrying it up to his 14th-floor room, and causing injuries to the bird.
The incident took place on March 3, but details emerged in court this week. Thirty-four-year-old Mitchell Fairbairn from Ontario, Canada, was caught on security cameras climbing a fence to enter the hotel's flamingo enclosure. Footage later showed him holding a flamingo named Peaches while other birds scattered in alarm.
During the trial, security personnel testified about the bizarre call that came over the radio during a graveyard shift reporting that someone had taken a bird. Following a trail of fallen feathers, security guards tracked the missing animal all the way to the 14th floor.
Fairbairn, who is charged with animal cruelty and has pleaded not guilty, testified that he had consumed between 30 and 40 beers prior to the incident. He claimed he only wanted to check on the bird because it looked injured and later posed with it as a foolish joke, denying any intent to harm.
According to the treating veterinarian, Peaches suffered a wing injury and feather loss, requiring medical attention. Local media reported that the flamingo has since recovered and is in good condition, while Fairbairn awaits the continuation of his trial.
