Las Vegas Flamingo Abuser Misses Second Court Appearance |

Published on: May 21, 2026, 10:56h.

Updated on: May 21, 2026, 10:56h.

Mitchell Fairbarn missed his second court session
The Canadian traveler faces serious animal cruelty charges stemming from the March 2026 kidnapping and assault of a flamingo at Flamingo Las Vegas
Video evidence shows Fairbarn capturing and choking a flamingo, named Peachy, in his 14th-floor hotel room

The Canadian tourist accused of harming two flamingos at a Las Vegas Strip resort missed his second court appearance on May 20, 2026.

Flamingo incident — Surveillance footage captures Mitchell Fairbarn abducting a flamingo at 6:15 a.m. on March 3, 2026. His identity is obscured in court records. (Image: Las Vegas Justice Court)

Mitchell Fairbarn, a 33-year-old from Ontario, is facing four felony charges related to the torture, maiming, or killing of an animal kept for companionship or enjoyment. Authorities allege that he forcibly removed a flamingo from the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas, assaulted it in his hotel room, and recorded the entire incident.

Captive Animals in Distress

Flamingo characterizing incident — Surveillance footage shows Fairbarn abducting the flamingo at 5:15 a.m. on March 3, 2026. (Image: Las Vegas Justice Court)

Investigators revealed that around 5 a.m. on March 3, 2026, Fairbarn accessed the flamingo habitat. He allegedly injured one flamingo before taking another one, Peachy, a familiar resident of the resort’s outdoor sanctuary.

The security footage recorded Fairbarn tucking Peachy under his clothing and entering a tower elevator with another man. (Only Fairbarn faces charges.) Upon reaching the 14th floor, witnesses reported him laughing and exclaiming, “I’m taking it home.”

What transpired next, according to the arrest report, was documented on Fairbarn’s phone, featuring images and video of him choking Peachy and throwing the bird to the floor. During the assault, police stated that Peachy was heard screaming while Fairbarn laughed.

He claimed to officers that he had been heavily intoxicated, stating he intended to “pop” the bird’s wing back into place, and acknowledged that his actions were “disgusting,” as noted in the police report.

The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat has been operational since 1994, part of a $130 million renovation of the historic resort. (Image: Shutterstock)

Officers found Peachy alive but in distress upon their arrival. Both Peachy and the other injured flamingo received medical attention from resort veterinarians and are reportedly recovering well.

Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of the Flamingo, expressed that the incident was “extremely troubling.”

Legal Proceedings

A judge from Las Vegas granted Fairbarn $12,000 bail with conditions to surrender his passport, keep away from the Strip, avoid contact with animals, and wear an electronic monitor if released.

Fairbarn missed his initial court appearance in early March and again failed to appear on May 20.

A status hearing for negotiations is scheduled for June 4.

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