Canadian businessman Mitchell Fairbairn is on trial in Las Vegas over allegations that he removed Peachy, a Chilean flamingo, from the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on March 3.
Fairbairn testified that he had consumed between 30 and 40 beers and described taking the bird as a drunken prank, while denying that he intended to hurt or kill it.
Authorities allege Peachy suffered a wing injury requiring stitches and Fairbairn faces four felony counts.
Closing arguments are expected Monday before the case goes to the jury.
Newsweek contacted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via email for comment on Monday.
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Who Is Mitchell Fairbairn?
Fairbairn is a 34-year-old businessman from Ontario, Canada, who is married and has three children, the Daily Mail reported.
He said he traveled to Las Vegas to attend ConExpo, an international construction exhibition. Fairbairn testified that he had considered skipping the trip after his father was diagnosed with cancer in December 2025.
During his testimony, Fairbairn emphasized his experience with animals. He said he grew up on farms, owns dogs and a parrot named Sonny, and has previously rescued an abandoned llama and six ducks.
That background became part of his explanation for why he entered the Flamingo hotel's wildlife habitat in the early hours of March 3.
In video footage from the courtroom, shown by FOX5 Las Vegas, he said his family has been affected by his actions.
"Everything from having properties getting broken into to death threats," he said, adding that he "changed the kids' schools."
What Fairbairn Says Happened
Fairbairn testified that he had spent March 2 drinking and gambling and estimated that he consumed between 30 and 40 beers before arriving at the habitat at around 5 a.m.
He said he was drunk, sleep-deprived and on the phone when he noticed what appeared to be a flamingo with uneven wings. Although Fairbairn acknowledged he should not have entered the enclosure, he claimed he went inside after thinking something might be wrong with one of the birds.
Fairbairn said he initially sat beside a different flamingo before picking up Peachy for a photograph as part of what he called a "silly pranky joke."
"I thought it would be, at the time, funny," he testified.
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According to his account, he carried Peachy to his hotel room and kept the bird there for "two or three minutes" before leaving it in the hallway. Fairbairn said he was changing clothes and preparing to return the animal when he was arrested.
He also confirmed walking through bushes while carrying Peachy and said he took off his shirt to wrap around the bird because he did not want to startle the other flamingos.
What Authorities Allege
Investigators have presented a sharply different picture of the encounter.
Surveillance footage showed a shirtless Fairbairn handling the flamingo by its neck and legs, according to the information presented in the case per the Daily Mail.
Police also alleged that photographs and videos recovered from his phone showed him aggressively choking the bird and throwing it to the floor. In one clip, investigators said Fairbairn laughed while saying he was "taking the bird home."
A "large bloody feather" was later found in his hotel room, according to police. Animal control officials said Peachy suffered a wing injury that required stitches and alleged the wing had been pulled from the bird's body. Authorities also alleged that other birds were injured.
Fairbairn previously admitted trespassing in the habitat and told police that he had "popped" the bird's wing into place because he believed it was in distress, according to investigators.
Fairbairn Denies Intending to Hurt Peachy
Taking the stand Friday, Fairbairn repeatedly denied deliberately harming the flamingo.
Asked by his attorney whether he intended to hurt or kill Peachy, he answered no. Under cross-examination, however, Fairbairn acknowledged that footage of the incident "doesn't look good" and agreed that the bird had been hurt.
"I'm taking responsibility," he told the court, while maintaining he had "no idea" how Peachy lost some of its feathers.
Jurors also questioned parts of Fairbairn's account, including how he could have identified an uneven wing if the flamingos were resting. Fairbairn said one wing appeared higher than the other, while acknowledging a sleeping flamingo with its head tucked beneath its wings could appear uneven.
Asked whether intoxication excused hurting a person or animal, Fairbairn replied: "No."
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What Charges Does Fairbairn Face?
Fairbairn faces four felony counts relating to the alleged torture, maiming or killing of animals kept for companionship or pleasure. He has not been convicted, and the allegations remain for the jury to decide.
Under Nevada law, a person who willfully and maliciously tortures, maims or kills an animal kept for companionship or pleasure can be charged with a category D felony.
A category D felony carries a prison sentence of between one and four years and may also carry a fine of up to $5,000.
Caesars Entertainment, which owns the Flamingo hotel, previously called the incident "deeply distressing" and said Peachy and the other birds were receiving care from veterinarians and the property's animal care team.
Fairbairn told the court he has been on house arrest since the incident and has been unable to return to Canada.
Closing arguments are expected Monday, after which jurors are due to begin deliberations.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tony Phillips.