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New Hanover man charged with mistreating pet fish

A New Hanover County man faces animal cruelty charges after he allegedly abandoned a pet fish after he was evicted from his home last month.

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WILMINGTON, N.C. — A New Hanover County man faces animal cruelty charges after he allegedly abandoned a pet fish after he was evicted from his home last month.

Michael Ray Hinson, 53, was charged Wednesday with three counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and one count of abandonment of an animal. He was released on a $4,000 unsecured bond.

Michael Ray Hinson
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said Hinson was evicted on March 22, and when deputies went to the home a few days later, they found he had left behind an Oscar fish that was in poor health and swimming in a dirty tank, according to NBC affiliate WECT.