Man Gets Fined $1,900 for Releasing Extremely Poisonous Stingrays Into Reservoir in Singapore

A 48-year-old Singaporean man is now looking to pay up two fines for releasing three extremely poisonous Motoro stingrays into Lower Seletar Reservoir, east of Yishun New Town.

Larry Tan Chin Guan, the unemployed man who originally kept the three stingrays as pets, must now pay a $1,910 fine — $440 for releasing the dangerous aquatic animals, and an even bigger fine of $1,470 for abandoning them on June 2, AsiaOne reported.

The man pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday for abandoning his pets without any reasonable excuse. He also admitted that he was unaware the release of the animals into the reservoir is forbidden by law.

According to The Strait Times, Tan’s actions could pose a serious threat to people who visit the area as well as those who take care of it. It could also greatly affect the aquatic ecosystem in the reservoir.

“These animals may not survive and those few that are able to do so disrupt the ecological balance of the natural habitats by competing with the native species for resources. The release of non-native species into the waters may also pose a risk to users of public water bodies,” Public Utilities Board (PUB) prosecutor, Khong Pui Pui, said in her statement on Tuesday.

Tan was filmed releasing the three Motoro stingrays into the reservoir, and the video was later uploaded on the Facebook page SG Tiger Fish and Aquatic Livestock.

The PUB, along with the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), reminded the public that it is not morally right to abandon pets and animals without any reasonable cause.

“Pet owners who are unable to look after their pet anymore should find a suitable home for their pet. Anglers can also call PUB if they catch any stingrays when fishing at the reservoirs instead of releasing them back into the (water),” the two organizations said in its joint media statement.

Image via Wikimedia Commons / Karelj

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