- The poor birds certainly did nothing to deserve this.
When you go see exotic or cute animals at a zoo or other exhibit, it’s natural to want to play and frolic with them. In most cases, though, it’s best to leave the critters alone, no matter how tempted you are.
And what you certainly shouldn’t do is follow this intoxicated Canadian’s example.
Mitchell Grant Fairbarn was recently arrested in Las Vegas on animal abuse charges. The Canadian from Ontario was vacationing at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, where he had a few drinks too many.
In his drunken state, he allegedly broke into the hotel’s wildlife habitat, where its namesake flamingos live. Fairbarn reportedly chased the birds around and pinned them down for selfies.
Finally, he’s accused of grabbing one of the flamingos and dragging it to his hotel room. Footage recovered from Fairbarn’s phone allegedly shows him abusing and humiliating the bird.
During its manhandling, the flamingo suffered injuries and is now receiving care from the Flamingo Hotel’s veterinary staff. Fairbarn, meanwhile, is awaiting trial — although he seems intent on not attending court.
Note that the story below contains descriptions of cruelty to animals. If you’d prefer something more heartwarming, here are a few animal rescue stories.
Forced Selfied
The flamingo incident happened on March 3, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Fairbarn had, by his own admission, been drinking late into the wee hours of the morning.
Around 5 a.m., security camera footage reviewed by the police allegedly shows Fairbarn wandering around the Flamingo Hotel’s wildlife habitat. The videos show him entering the area and starting to harass the birds.
The police state that Fairbarn approached one flamingo that attempted to fly away. He grabbed it by the legs and pulled it down.
After grabbing the flamingo, Fairbarn allegedly wrestled it to the ground and took photos of himself with the bird using his phone. Eventually, the flamingo slipped free and got away from Fairbarn.
Flamingo-napping
Having lost the first bird, the police say security footage shows Fairbarn chasing several other flamingos around. He was finally able to get a hold of another bird called Peachy, grabbing it by its legs and throat.
Fairbarn dragged the trapped and struggling bird through the wildlife habitat and left the area. He was next spotted on security cameras around 5:30 a.m., according to the investigators.
By this point, Fairbarn had pulled off his shirt and wrapped the flamingo in it. He carried the animal through the corridors and into an elevator, which he took up to the 14th floor, where his room was.
The Flamingo Hotel’s security officers had been alerted to the scene at this time as well.
“We went out to the habitat, and we were missing one [flamingo], and two were seriously injured, in fact, one may not make it. Surveillance caught him jumping the fence,” a security officer told 8NewsNow.
Torture Videos
Later that same morning, the LVMPD acquired a search warrant for Fairbarn’s room.
“While executing the search warrant in Fairbarn’s room, a large bloody feather along with multiple small pink colored feathers were located,” the police reported, according to CTV News.
The police also recovered Fairbarn’s flamingo-carrying shirt and confiscated his cell phone. According to the LVMPD, they found disturbing video footage of Fairbarn tormenting Peachy on the phone.
One of the videos allegedly shows him approaching the flamingo and grabbing it with both hands.
“He then uses his right hand to choke the flamingo by the neck. The animal screams and cries, but Fairbarn holds it tighter and brings it down to the ground,” the LVMPD claims.
He also allegedly laughs in the videos and states that he will take Peachy home with him.
Severe Injuries
The flamingo reportedly suffered multiple injuries during the tussle. Most significantly, it may have dislocated its wing.
The investigators stated Fairbarn attempted at one point to “pop” the bird’s wing back in place, believing he was helping it. This, however, resulted in the bird losing some of its large feathers.
Flamingo feathers have a vein in them, so the feathers ripping off caused the bird to bleed. The LVMPD stated Peachy needed several stitches in its wing.
According to Caesars Entertainment, which owns the Flamingo Hotel, Peachy and other flamingos Fairbarn injured are currently receiving care.
“Our beloved birds, including Peachy, who was cruelly taken from the habitat, are currently in the care of dedicated veterinarians and our extraordinary Flamingo animal care team. We remain hopeful they will make a full recovery,” the company said in a statement.
No-show at Court
Fairbarn was arrested at the hotel. According to LVMPD, he stated that he had been drinking and had “no excuses” for what he’d done.
Fairbarn has been charged on four counts, including malicious torture and maiming an animal. At a probable cause hearing, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Suzan Baucum set a bail of $12,000 on Fairbarn and ordered him to surrender his passport, not to have any animals in his possession, and to wear a GPS tracker.
He was due in court on March 9, but failed to make an appearance. Judge Harmony Letizia reportedly told Fairbarn’s attorney that he had better show up for his next hearing on May 6.
“If he has a single violation while he’s out on bail and electronic monitoring that was set by the judge in initial appearance court, he is going to be remanded without bail in this case,” she allegedly cautioned the attorney