Las Vegas: Judge issues stern warning for tourist accused of bird-napping, torturing flamingo

Monday, March 9, 2026 2:03 PM
Photo:  Caesars Entertainment (courtesy)
  • Noble Brigham, Las Vegas Review-Journal

A judge warned a lawyer Monday that there would be no second chances for a Canadian tourist accused of bird-napping and torturing a flamingo at a Strip resort.

“You need to admonish your client that if he has a single violation while he’s out on bail and electronic monitoring that was set by the judge in initial appearance court, he is going to be remanded without bail in this case,” said Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Harmony Letizia.

Mitchell Fairbarn, 33, who did not appear before the judge, faces four counts of torturing, maiming or killing an animal kept for companionship or pleasure.

Police said that early Tuesday morning, Fairbarn entered the flamingo habitat at the Flamingo resort and took a bird back to his room.