Man who stole flamingo from Vegas hotel convicted of animal cruelty

Mitchell Fairbarn deeply regretted the “bad decisions” he made while intoxicated, his lawyer told the jury.

A Canadian man was convicted of animal cruelty charges Monday for snatching a flamingo named Peachy from its enclosure at an iconic Las Vegas hotel. Prosecutors said it was a malicious prank while a lawyer for the tourist insisted it was drunken foolishness not meant to harm the bird. Prosecutors said tourist Mitchell Fairbarn hurt and frightened the 27-year-old Chilean flamingo when he took it from its habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino and carried the squawking bird to his room March 3. Defense attorney Josh Tomsheck told jurors at trial in a Nevada court that the man deeply regretted the "bad decisions" he made while intoxicated.

After about five hours of deliberations, jurors returned convictions on felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty counts against the Ontario, Canada, man. Jurors were allowed to reach a conclusion of felony or misdemeanor cruelty to animals on both counts after reviewing 112 exhibits and hearing from 14 witnesses, CBS affiliate KLAS-TV reported.Man remains under house arrest awaiting sentencingFairbarn remains under house arrest pending a sentencing hearing set for Dec. 1. He faces up to four years in prison for the felony and possibly six more months for the misdemeanor conviction. Following the verdict, he declined to comment as he left the courtroom with his wife. He showed no visible emotion.His lawyer