Photo: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
A Wilmington, North Carolina, man is charged with animal cruelty for allegedly leaving his pet oscar fish in “deplorable conditions.”
Michael Ray Hinson, 53, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and one count of abandonment of an animal Wednesday after officials found his freshwater fish living malnourished in a filthy tank, a spokesperson with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office tells PEOPLE.
On March 22, Hinson was evicted from his home. Three days later, deputies with the sheriff’s office civil unit went to the home and found Hinson had left his pet fish behind.
An oscar fish.Gerard Lacz/REX/Shutterstock
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Once rescued, the fish was taken to local store The Fish Room. Oscar fish cangrow bigger than 12 inchesand live up to 20 years, according tothe Washington Post.
“The fish is doing really well right now,” The Fish Room’s Ethan Lane tells PEOPLE. “He’s eating and that’s a great sign. He wasn’t eating the first couple days while he was here so it’s good to see him back on his feet.”
Lane says that mistreating any animal is serious.
“Fish are living creatures — they have specific needs to keep them alive and healthy,” Lane tells PEOPLE. ‘[Its lack of care] is just frustrating to see.”
Lane says the fish will remain at The Fish Room until it becomes clear whether or not it will be put up for adoption.
Hinson was released from jail on a $4,000 bond. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney.
source: people.com
