LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Canadian tourist is facing four counts of animal cruelty after police say he broke into the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, dragged and cornered flamingos, and carried one of the birds to his hotel room.
Police identified the suspect as Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, of Ontario, Canada. According to an arrest report, surveillance video shows Fairbarn entered the habitat around 5 a.m. Tuesday, grabbed the flamingos, dragged them, and cornered them. Police said the birds could be heard screaming and crying during the incident.
Fairbarn reportedly told police he was drunk and said he took the flamingo to his room to “pop” its wing back into place.
Flamingos under veterinary care
Caesars Entertainment, which owns the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, said the flamingos are now in the care of their veterinary team and is hopeful the birds will make a full recovery.
“It’s terrible. It’s terrible,” said both Hannah and Cody, visitors from Cartersville, Georgia.
Bail draws community reaction
Fairbarn’s bail was set at $12,000. As he can use a bail bonds company, he would need to pay approximately 10 percent — or $1,200 — to be released from jail. Some people said the amount is not enough.
“He should have gotten a lot more punishment than a $12,000 bond because that’s terrible,” said Hannah.
“It’s a little crazy to kidnap a bird… and then break its wing,” said Chris Spaven, a tourist from Canada.
Nevada animal cruelty law
Last year, Nevada passed a new law strengthening penalties for those convicted of abusing animals. Signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo, Reba’s Law was inspired by the death of a dog named Reba, an English bulldog that died after being rescued from a sealed plastic container during extreme heat in 2024. Under the law, “animal” does not include the human race but includes every other living creature.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s most recent Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report placed Nevada 26th in the nation, designating it a most improved state in 2025.
Prior incident at same hotel
This is not the first time an animal has been harmed at the Flamingo’s wildlife habitat. In 2012, Justin Teixeira beheaded an exotic bird at the property while drunk. Teixeira, then 25, was convicted and sentenced to six months of boot camp after successfully completing 190 days in a program at the Indian Springs Correctional Facility. He apologized for killing Turk, a helmeted guinea fowl that was part of the hotel’s wildlife habitat.
As of the latest update, Fairbarn remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center and is due in court Monday.
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