Ontario Man Admits Prank Caused Harm to Flamingo in Court

Mitchell Fairbairn told a Las Vegas court he drank between 30 and 40 beers before grabbing a flamingo from a hotel habitat in the early morning hours of March 2. The Ontario businessman admitted to taking Peachy, a Chilean bird from the Flamingo Las Vegas property, to his room but insisted there was no evil plan involved. He described the whole event as a drunken prank gone wrong after a night of heavy drinking and gambling.

Fairbairn stood in court on Friday to defend himself against charges of animal cruelty. His lawyer asked if he meant to hurt the bird. Fairbairn said simply, No. He denied any intent to kill Peachy either. Yet when his lawyers questioned him during cross-examination, the defendant conceded that video footage does not look good. He admitted the bird suffered harm but claimed ignorance about how feathers were lost or why blood appeared later.

I am taking responsibility he told the court while insisting he had no idea what caused specific injuries to Peachy. Police found a large bloody feather after the incident. Animal control stated the wing injury resulted from pulling. The defendant said he saw one wing look higher than the other from his position outside the enclosure. He also noted that sleeping flamingos often tuck their heads under wings, which creates an uneven appearance.

Fairbairn is married with three children who live in Ontario. He traveled to Nevada for ConExpo, a major international construction show where he represented Canada. His father received a cancer diagnosis back home in December 2025. That news made Fairbairn hesitant about the trip initially. He grew up on farms and has handled various animals throughout his life. He owns dogs plus a parrot named Sonny. Previously, he rescued an abandoned llama and six ducks from difficult situations.

The man removed his shirt to wrap around the bird as he walked through bushes toward the hotel hallway. He said carrying Peachy lasted only two or three minutes before leaving it there briefly. Officers caught him changing clothes when police arrived to return the animal. Jurors pressed him on how he knew wings looked uneven while birds rested peacefully inside their habitat.

Fairbairn claimed he sat beside another flamingo first before picking up his target for a silly pranky joke photo opportunity. He walked through bushes carrying the bird wrapped in fabric rather than bare skin. When asked if he noticed blood on his shirt or walls during handling, he answered No. Despite this denial, investigators found evidence of injury later when authorities examined the scene closely.

The case highlights risks to communities facing strict animal welfare laws while tourists visit Las Vegas hotels. Regulations demand that visitors respect wildlife habitats even after consuming alcohol heavily. A drunken mistake could lead to serious legal consequences for anyone who harms an animal regardless of intent. Peachy will likely require long-term medical care following the wing injury and feather loss described by officials.

Closing arguments are set to take place this Monday, right before the jury starts their final discussions. During one of the exchanges, a juror pressed Fairbairn about what he would expect if an intruder hurt one of his animals on his farm. He said he wanted a proper investigation to figure out who was responsible for harming the creature. When asked whether being drunk excuses hurting someone or an animal, his answer was a simple no.

Fairbairn also mentioned that he has been stuck on house arrest since the incident and could not return to Canada. The whole mess started back in March when police say he walked into the hotel's wildlife area and took Peachy away. Surveillance footage showed him carrying the flamingo through the lobby, wrapped up in a shirt. Later, the tourist admitted he trespassed after spotting a bird in distress and claimed he popped its wing back into place. Police noted that Fairbairn knows this is common for birds like ducks because he grew up as a farm boy.

Investigators recovered photos and videos from his phone that showed him aggressively choking the bird and throwing it to the floor. In one clip, he reportedly laughed while saying he was taking the bird home. Authorities found a large bloody feather in his hotel room, and animal control officials said Peachy suffered a wing injury needing stitches. They also alleged that other birds were hurt during this incident.

Fairbairn faces four felony counts related to the alleged torture or killing of animals kept for companionship. The allegations have not yet been resolved by the jury. Caesars Entertainment, which owns the Flamingo hotel, previously called the event deeply distressing and said Peachy and the other birds were getting care from veterinarians and the animal team.

The trial is due to resume on Monday morning when lawyers will deliver closing arguments before jurors begin deliberating. This case highlights how strict regulations protect vulnerable wildlife but also shows the severe consequences for those who ignore them. Communities must consider whether such harsh penalties truly deter bad behavior or simply punish individuals without fixing the root causes of animal abuse.