Canadian tourist convicted after injuring flamingo taken from Las Vegas hotel

Canadian tourist Mitchell Fairbarn has been found guilty of animal cruelty after taking Peachy, a Chilean flamingo, from its habitat at a Las Vegas hotel and casino and bringing the bird to his hotel room. The case matters because animal experts said the bird was injured, and Fairbarn faces nearly five years in prison.

The 34-year-old told the court he had drunk 30 to 40 beers and thought taking the bird would be funny; his lawyer described it as a prank and blamed alcohol for his decisions. A jury reviewed evidence from 14 witnesses and more than 112 exhibits before convicting him after about five hours. Peachy has largely recovered but is more anxious around people; Fairbarn remains under house arrest in Las Vegas, with sentencing due in December.