Canadian tourist found guilty of animal cruelty after stealing Las Vegas flamingo

A Canadian tourist has been found guilty of animal cruelty after taking a bird from a Las Vegas casino habitat, according to Fox News, CBC, and The Guardian. Fox News and CBC reported that Mitchell Fairbarn of Ontario, Canada, was convicted on Monday following approximately five hours of jury deliberation. The charges stemmed from a March 3 incident at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, where Fairbarn removed a 27 year old Chilean flamingo named Peachy from its enclosure. [1][6][7]

Fox News reported that surveillance footage showed Fairbarn carrying the flamingo through a hotel elevator before the bird was found injured. Prosecutors argued in court that the animal was harmed and frightened during the encounter, according to Fox News and The Guardian. CBC reported that the incident occurred after the tourist had consumed 30 to 40 beers. [1][6][7]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the 34 year old tourist from Ontario claimed during his testimony that the incident was intended as a silly prank. He told the Nevada court that he took the bird to his hotel room after drinking up to 40 beers. [11]

Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada and is an internationally renowned resort city known for its entertainment, according to Wikipedia. Most major resort venues are located in downtown Las Vegas or on the Las Vegas Strip. [10]