A Canadian tourist on trial for stealing a flamingo from a Las Vegas hotel has claimed he was just pulling a "silly prank" after drinking up to 40 beers. Mitchell Fairbairn, 34, took the witness stand in Nevada on Friday to face two counts of animal cruelty following an incident at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino on March 3.
The married father-of-three repeatedly denied having any malicious intent when he snatched the pink bird, named Peachy, and carried it back to his hotel room. Under questioning from his defence lawyer, the excavation business owner insisted he had no desire to harm or kill the animal, local outlet FOX5 Las Vegas reports.
Details of the Incident
Fairbairn told the court he had travelled to Sin City from his home in central Ontario for ConExpo, a construction trade show, where he was representing Canada. He admitted he had been "on the fence" about attending after his father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2025.
Describing the night of the incident, Fairbairn testified that he spent the day gambling and drinking between 30 and 40 beers. At around 5am, security cameras captured him hopping a fence into the enclosure while heavily intoxicated and sleep-deprived. He told jurors he initially entered after spotting a bird whose wings looked "uneven," though he acknowledged he knew he shouldn't have climbed inside.
Injuries and Testimony
Fairbairn said he sat beside one flamingo before grabbing Peachy to take a photo as a "silly pranky joke." He wrapped the bird in his shirt, explaining he did so while pushing through waist-height hedges so it wouldn't get scratched, and carried Peachy to his room. After keeping the bird inside for "two or three minutes," he left Peachy in the hallway and was arrested shortly after while changing clothes to return it.
However, the severe extent of Peachy's injuries was revealed in court testimony reported by KGNS News. The flamingo's treating veterinarian testified that the bird suffered seven to eight missing feathers, broken shafts, and blood loss consistent with trauma. The vet added that Peachy required antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and weeks of pain medication to recover.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The Canadian national, who grew up on farms and owns dogs and a parrot, insisted he had "no idea" how the feathers were lost. But under cross-examination, he conceded security footage "doesn't look good" and admitted the bird was hurt, telling prosecutors: "I'm taking responsibility."
During jury questioning, Fairbairn acknowledged that being drunk was no excuse for harming a person or animal, while maintaining he saw nothing wrong with Peachy when he grabbed him. Fairbairn, who remains on house arrest in the US and unable to return home to Canada, faces closing arguments when the trial resumes on Monday.
