Injured flamingo leaves Brampton man stuck in U.S. as case heads to trial

A Brampton man accused of stealing and injuring a flamingo from a famous Las Vegas hotel has pleaded not guilty and will remain in the United States while the criminal case moves toward trial.

Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, entered not guilty pleas recently to four felony animal abuse charges stemming from an incident at the Flamingo Las Vegas resort in March.

Fairbarn appeared in a Nevada courtroom for his arraignment, where a judge kept in place earlier conditions requiring him to surrender his passport and remain in the U.S. until the case is resolved. He is also prohibited from visiting the Las Vegas Strip or having contact with animals while on release.

A jury trial is expected to begin Oct. 12.

The charges stem from an early morning incident on March 3 at the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, an attraction at the historic Las Vegas resort that houses flamingos and other exotic birds.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have alleged surveillance video showed Fairbarn entering the habitat, chasing several birds and eventually taking a 27-year-old flamingo named Peachy back to his hotel room after injuring other birds in the enclosure.

According to police, Fairbarn later told investigators he had been drinking and believed Peachy’s wing was injured. He allegedly said he intended to “pop” the wing back into place because he thought it was a common practice for birds.

Police allege the attempt instead caused serious injuries to the flamingo. A veterinarian later told investigators the birds involved were expected to recover.

Investigators also alleged they recovered video from Fairbarn’s cellphone and found a bloody feather inside his hotel room following his arrest.

Fairbarn was arrested in March and later released after posting a US$12,000 bond. Court records show previous hearings in June were postponed while his lawyer and prosecutors discussed a possible resolution before the case proceeded to arraignment.

The case has attracted international attention because of its unusual circumstances and the prominence of the Flamingo Las Vegas, one of the oldest resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

Fairbarn has not publicly commented on the allegations. His not guilty plea means the charges have not been proven in court.