33-year-old Canadian tourist Mitchell Fairbarn was arrested in Las Vegas after, according to police, he stole a flamingo named Peachy from an open enclosure at one of the casino hotels on the famous Strip. The man took the bird to his room. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) filed four felony counts of animal cruelty against him, a serious criminal offense under U.S. law. Fairbarn remains in custody.
According to police, at around 5 a.m. the man entered the birds’ habitat area on the hotel property, grabbed the flamingo, and carried the bird to his room on the 14th floor. The incident did not go unnoticed: surveillance cameras and cellphone footage captured what happened in detail. Peachy wasn’t the only one injured. Police say other birds were also hurt during the break-in. Peachy has a damaged wing, and the flamingo is now under veterinary care.
Investigators are relying on multiple pieces of evidence:
- surveillance camera footage showing a person entering the enclosure and roughly grabbing the bird by the legs;
- cellphone video that, police claim, shows Fairbarn posing with the flamingo in casino corridors and in a hotel room;
- feathers and bloodstains found by officers in the room on the 14th floor.
Taken together, this evidence formed the basis for the charges. It is important to note that these are allegations; Fairbarn’s guilt will be determined in court.
“I was trying to help,” he said — but police were not convinced
During questioning, Fairbarn said he was drunk and allegedly wanted to help the bird. According to him, he thought the flamingo’s wing was injured, and he tried to “set” it back in place. This version was recorded in the arrest report reviewed by FOX 5. Police, however, assessed the tourist’s actions differently: they deemed his handling of the bird harmful and intentional. Investigators drew a clear line between “helping” and roughly grabbing it by the legs.
One of many reasons not to mix alcohol and gambling
The combination of the city’s unique atmosphere and alcohol often leads to unpredictable consequences. Drunk tourists do things they themselves cannot explain once they sober up. Some films about Las Vegas use true stories, so they can be seen on screen. One of the most common problems is reckless betting while intoxicated. This often leads to major losses and turns into a real catastrophe.
Experts advise against gambling while drunk—this applies not only to brick-and-mortar casinos, but also to online casinos. The advice has become especially relevant in recent years, when gambling has become even more accessible thanks to mobile apps. This is especially true of gambling-style arcade games, which have become real hits in mobile gaming.
The creators of popular games try to keep intoxicated people away from their entertainment. We decided to look into this and studied several crash games that rank highly. On the Lucky Jet game website, we find iOS app here and also reviewed the Terms of Use. They specifically warn players against betting while intoxicated. The game attracts users with its dynamism and simplicity, but these qualities are dangerous for intoxicated players. However, when intoxicated, it is best to avoid betting altogether.
A garden oasis amid the slot machines
The location of the incident is unusual in itself. On the Caesars Entertainment complex grounds, there is an open animal habitat area: a garden enclosure with Chilean flamingos and other species, located just steps away from the casino floor and cocktail bars. This attraction has long become a signature feature of the hotel, drawing tourists as much as roulette does.
Caesars Entertainment called what happened “cruel and illegal”
In an official statement, Caesars Entertainment condemned the incident, describing it as “cruel and illegal behavior.” The company confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. “Our wildlife care team works every day to ensure the health and safety of the animals in our care,” the statement said.
Next hearing set for March 9
Fairbarn remains in custody until the case is heard in court. The first hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 9. The case remains pending, and the defendant’s future will be determined based on the outcome of the court proceedings.
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