UPDATE 4/10/2019: Charges against Mr. Hinson have been dropped, reportedly because state laws fail to protect fish from cruelty — despite ample evidence that these animals do, indeed, experience pain and suffering.
A man from the port city of Wilmington, North Carolina was recently arrested for abandoning his pet fish.
The malnourished freshwater fish was discovered last month in a vacated and deplorable home.
Michael Ray Hinson, 53, was identified as the former guardian of the fish and was charged with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He was released on a $4,000 bond, and is scheduled to reappear in court on Thursday, April 11.
This is the first time charges have been brought against someone in New Hanover County for a case involving a fish.
Hinson was evicted from his Wilmington home on March 22, according to Lt. Jerry Brewer, a spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. When he moved, he left the fish behind.
Deputies returned to the home three days later to check on its condition and discovered the abandoned oscar fish in a tank. The oscar was suffering from a parasitic condition known as hole-in-the-head disease.
The fish is currently being treated at a local store called the Fish Room.
In an interview with NBC affiliate WECT, Fish Room employee Nathan Lane stated: “Hole-in-the-head is a parasite that starts in the intestines and works from the inside out, slowly killing the fish.” Lane also explained that the fish suffered from a “pretty severe case of the disease, which opens sores and lesions on the fish’s head. It is an infection that can be lethal.”
Since arriving at aquarium, the fish has been given medication and put on a proper diet, according to Lane. He told The State newspaper that the fish is believed to have survived on cockroaches that fell into the tank. Police have not confirmed this claim.
The fish’s permanent home has not yet to be determined.
What’s New…
Unbelievable. It does not MATTER if a Animal swims or runs or stays in water or on land, as long as it is a breathing and lives to eat, etc there was no means for this man to do this to this particular kind of FISH!!! That is a pretty pricey kind of fish! That man deserves to have criminal activity on his personal records. Imagine, if he could do this to a fish, imagine what others things or even a human being could be put through! He needs to pay more than $4000 fine, community service & possibly helping in that fish place that his fish was placed with to get well!
Unbelievable. It does not MATTER if a Animal swims or runs or stays in water or on land, as long as it is a breathing and lives to eat, etc there was no means for this man to do this to this particular kind of FISH!!! That is a pretty pricey kind of fish! That man deserves to have criminal activity on his personal records. Imagine, if he could do this to a fish, imagine what others things or even a human being could be put through! He needs to pay more than $4000 fine, community service & possibly helping in that fish place that his fish was placed with to get well!
Cruelty towards any animal is terrible.
Human, fish, dog, cat, bird, rabbit…..we are all equal in the eyes of the Divine.
This piece of filth deserves to starve and live on cockroaches falling into his jail cell ( just like the fish)
The charges have been dropped because North Carolina law fails to recognize fishes (or humans or nonvertebrates) as animals. https://www.facebook.com/FishFeel.org/posts/2348174908739261
Good ! Fish need care too ! No animal should be abandoned.
Abandonment = Cruelty
Nobody has the right to abuse an animal and that includes fish. Fish have the right to live their lives in peace without a human neglecting them and torturing them. I have fought against fishing all my life thinking it’s one of the cruelest sports a person can engage in. how would that person like to be caught with a hook in their mouth and suspended by their body weight …sheer torture.
Laws need to be updated to prevent cruelty to any animal. Punishment should be the same as for cruelty to humans.
Why do TTB keep on letting this loser have any kind of pet he should be banned from owning any kind of pet forever.
This is the best news I’ve heard all day. It’s about time fish get recognized. I absolutely HATE when people leave animals behind. Can’t fathom it.
Humans are vile and out of control.
Obviously all creatures warm & cold blooded need to be added to the new laws that are in effect. It seems to me the judge & Lt. Jerry Brewer, a spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. Had an opportunity to protect the fish and chose not to bother. Deplorable.
The Galarneau & Anderson family / Mi.
IT DOESN’T MATTER IT WAS A “FISH” FOR GOD’S SAKE THAT IS AN ANIMAL & HAS IT’S OWN LIFE TOO. Some people who think that ONLY we people are the ones need love & care is completely brain damaged bunch. If we breath we live. If we live we feel the pains & sufferings. We feel the hunger & satisfaction. we feel the sadness & happiness. SO DOES THIS FISH TOO. I AM SO VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THE AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED THIS MORONIC MAN FOR HIS ANIMAL CRUELTY.
THANK YOU NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOR TAKING ACTION AGAINST THIS MAN’S CRUELTY TO AN INNOCENT ANIMAL.
It was a helpless pet. It deserved better than this, just as if it had been a dog or cat. Maybe, if this becomes standard procedure, this excellent practice of punishing abusers, maybe they will see animal protectors are serious about anti-abuse laws.It’s about time.
It’s about time people get punished for the senseless acts the put any living creature through – They all feel as we do and it’s time justice is served to the scums that do this abuse and neglect/ abandonment.
While in prison, he should be injected with tapeworms, roundworms, and Guinea worms. Karma, literally, would suck.
This is good news.
His fish he should have looked after it. Still capable of suffering. Send him down.
I hope the Oscar fish recovers and goes to a loving forever home. Nail the POS. His new digs should be prison. 🐠
Michael Ray Hinson sounds like a true piece of work.
About his eviction … Maybe the kind folks of New Hanover County can give him nice accommodations in their jail.
No matter what the animal, if it’s cruelty – nail the abuser but good.
People.need.to.stop.being.crueil.to.that.animals.people.ilke.that.need.to.go.to.jail.for.lifer
ANIMAL CRUELTY MUST BE CLASSIFIED AS A FELONY. MATTERS NOT IF THE INDIVIDUAL (ANIMAL) IS LITTLE OR BIG.
“EVERY LITTLE LIFE IS BIG FOR THE ONE LIVING IT”
Glad to hear that Wilmington is taking animal abuse/neglect seriously. There is no excuse for animal abuse. Hope the Oscar fish recovers.
Good news!