Officials charged a 33-year-old Canadian man with four counts of animal cruelty after he allegedly cornered multiple flamingoes before stealing one from the wildlife habitat at a Nevada casino.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) named Mitchell Fairbarn as the suspect involved in the incident, according to FOX 5 Vegas. Surveillance footage captured Fairbarn, who was visiting the Flamingo Hotel and Casino from Ontario, entering the wildlife habitat around 5:00 a.m. Feb. 3, a police report said. Fairbarn then allegedly snatched the flamingos before dragging and cornering them.
The birds could be heard crying and screaming, police said. Hotel staff detained Fairbarn before calling the LVMPD around 6:00 a.m., police said, according to KSNV. (RELATED: Multiple Great White Sharks Ping Off US Coast As Spring Break Begins)
Fairbarn allegedly told officials he was intoxicated and brought one of the animals to his hotel room to “pop” its wing back in place, FOX 5 Vegas reported. A judge set the accused man’s bail at $12,000. Fairbarn is allowed to use a bail bonds company and would need to pay 10 percent, or $1,200, to be released.
A woman identified only as Hannah, who was visiting Nevada from Cartersville, Georgia, said Fairbarn’s bail wasn’t sufficient. “He should have gotten a lot more punishment than a $12,000 bond because that’s terrible,” she told FOX 5 Vegas.
Chris Spaven, a Canadian tourist, offered a similar sentiment. “It’s a little crazy to kidnap a bird … and then break its wing,” he said.
Caesar’s Entertainment, which owns the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, addressed the alleged act in a statement shared with KSNV.
“We are aware of the deeply distressing incident involving a guest who was arrested for breaking into our Wildlife Habitat and assaulting our flamingos. The safety and well-being of our iconic flock are of the utmost importance to us, and we will be pursuing charges against this individual to the fullest extent possible.”
“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.”
“We are grateful to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and to our security and animal care teams for their swift response. We appreciate the outpouring of concern from our guests and the community, and we remain focused on supporting the continued recovery of these remarkable birds,” the statement read.
Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 381, also known as “Reba’s Law,” which increases prison time from four to six years for willful and malicious acts leading to an animal’s death, The Nevada Current reported in June 2025. The bill was passed following the death of a bulldog from heat stroke after it was left in a sealed tote behind a Nevada establishment. The law covers all living creatures aside from humans, according to FOX 5 Vegas.
Authorities were holding Fairburn in Clark County Detention Center, and he was expected to appear before a judge Feb. 9, the outlet reported.
The Daily Caller contacted the LVMPD but did not hear back as of publication.