Canadian Tourist Faces Felony Charges After Alleged Flamingo Theft in Las Vegas Hotel
A 33-year-old Canadian tourist from Ontario has been ordered by a judge to remain in Las Vegas until court proceedings resolve four felony animal abuse charges. The charges stem from an incident at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel, where the man allegedly entered the flamingo habitat, injured several birds, and stole one named Peachy.
Security Calls Reveal Delayed Police Response
According to 911 recordings obtained by media outlets, security at the Caesars Entertainment-operated hotel waited over two hours for police to arrive after reporting the theft. In the first call around 6 a.m., a security guard informed dispatchers that a man was seen carrying a flamingo through a 14th-floor hallway. Surveillance footage later reviewed by police showed a shirtless man jumping the enclosure fence, injuring two birds in the process.
The security supervisor emphasized the severity in a follow-up call at 8 a.m., stating, "He stole one of the flamingo birds. It's kind of serious stuff." The habitat is home to five other flamingos named Blackjack, Bugsy, Pitbull, Omega, and Bubbalicious.
Alleged Details of the Incident
Police reports indicate the man spent approximately eight minutes inside the habitat. Footage shows him grabbing Peachy by its long legs, pinning it to the ground to prevent escape, and then taking the bird back to his hotel room. Photos and video found on his phone allegedly depict him torturing the animal and suggesting he intended to take it to Canada. A large bloody feather was discovered in his room.
Under questioning, the man claimed he entered the enclosure to assist a bird with a damaged wing, citing his experience as a "farm boy" who knew about "popping" wings back into place for birds like ducks. However, an arrest report states his attempt allegedly pulled the wing out of its body, causing a blood supply rupture.
Legal Consequences and Court Orders
The injuries led to four felony charges of willful or malicious torture, maiming, or killing of a federally protected migratory species. In a probable cause hearing, a Las Vegas circuit court judge set bail at US$12,000, which was later paid. The man was ordered to surrender his passport, wear a GPS monitor, and possess no animals while awaiting resolution of the case.
This case highlights the serious legal repercussions of wildlife interference in tourist destinations, with the hotel emphasizing the beloved status of its flamingos and the gravity of the alleged crimes.
