[Mad Dawgg]

"Two words: Stingray City. Google it."

First link I tried on your key words:

http://www.cayman.org/divesite/stingray.htm

Last paragraph:

Keep in mind that these are wild animals and will not take kindly to folks trying to ride them or pull their tails. They are capable of inflicting a rather serious injury with the stinger on their tail if you attempt to ride or harass them physically.

QED

[Mr. Silverback]

They are capable of inflicting a rather serious injury with the stinger on their tail if you attempt to ride or harass them physically.

Since he was doing neither of those, your argument is irrelevant.