Animal Activist Fined $500 For Throwing Fish Back In Water

CLEARWATER, FL — An animal rights activist has received a $500 fine for throwing a dying fish back into the water.

A judge found Michael Learning guilty of stealing a tilapia from Robert Hope while Hope was fishing on Crescent Lake in Clearwater in July 2017.

The entire incident was filmed by Learning and his family who insisted that the fish, which was laying on the sidewalk, was suffering and that Hope was guilty of animal cruelty.

When Learning followed through with his threat to throw the tilapia back into the water, Hope called the police.

"Call the police," Learning responded. "I just saved a fish's life. How about that?"

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission referred the case to the State Attorney’s Office. At first, the state charged Leaming with “interference with taking of fish.” But late Thursday, a day before the non-jury trial in Pinellas-Pasco County Circuit Court, the state changed its charge to petit theft.

That's because the interference charge is only for state waters. Crescent Lake is owned by the city of Clearwater.

Hope said he planned to cook the fish for that night's dinner. A fish and wildlife investigator testified that, by the size of the fish and the price per pound of tilapia, the fish was worth about $6.

The confrontation occurred the same day the Learning family and other animal activists demonstrated against animal cruelty at a Pinellas Park Chick-fil-A.

Afterward, the family went to Crescent Lake. That's when Learning's son, Landon, now 10 years old, noticed the dying fish on the sidewalk.

Hope and his son, Christopher, had been fishing. After catching the tilapia, Hope realized he left his fish bucket in his car so he laid the fish on the deck while his son went to the car to retrieve the bucket.

Despite Learning's assertion that he was rescuing a dying creature, Judge Robert Dittmer said fishermen have a right to fish the waters of Crescent Lake without interference.

He ordered that Learning pay the $500 fine and court costs. He noted that Learning got off lightly. He could have been sentenced to 60 days in jail and six months of probation.

Video via Youtube

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