JUSTICE FOR PEACHY: Canadian Man Convicted Of Animal Cruelty After Injuring Flamingo At Las Vegas Hotel
Photo Credit: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD)
Mitchell Fairbarn, a tourist from Ontario, Canada, has been found guilty of animal cruelty months after forcibly taking Peachy, a 27-year-old Chilean flamingo, from his habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, in an incident that also left other flamingos injured.
A Nevada jury convicted Fairbarn of one felony count and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty on October 19.
According to the initial police investigation, the disturbing incident occurred on March 3, 2026, when Fairbarn grabbed Peachy by the neck and legs before carrying him through the hotel to his room. Surveillance footage captured portions of the incident. Peachy sustained injuries to his wings and lost several feathers.
Thankfully, Peachy was recovered and received veterinary care. Caesars Entertainment, the resort’s parent company, confirmed that its animal care team and veterinarians were also caring for the other injured flamingos.
Peachy survived this heartbreaking ordeal, and the injuries and suffering he endured underscore the importance of enforcing animal cruelty laws and holding those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Fairbarn is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2026. He could face up to four years in prison for the felony conviction, along with an additional six months for the misdemeanor.
World Animal News hopes Peachy makes a full recovery and that justice is served for all the flamingos harmed in this incident.
