250 fish poisoned by industrial cleaner thrown into family's pond
8:16am Friday 8th August 2008
A HAMPSHIRE family has been left devastated after their garden pond was poisoned with industrial strength cleaner killing more than 250 pet fish.
Dad of two Tony Martin said more than £2,000 of fish died after someone deliberately threw a gallon bottle of cleaning detergent over the fence of his back garden.
Now the 44-year-old has offered a £500 reward to help find who is responsible for the mindless act of vandalism' that has left his two children distraught.
Tony, of Kingsclere Avenue, Weston, said: "My nine-year-old daughter Suzzana is absolutely devastated. Over the years she has saved up her pocket money to buy a number of fish. She's named quite few of them and just can't believe what has happened.
"It's not only cruel to me and my family but it's also downright cruel to the fish. There's a great big pile of expensive dead fish next to our pond now. I just don't understand why anyone would want to do that. Maybe it's jealousy because we have such a nice collection.
We had every fish you could think of in that pond including carps, orfs and goldfish."
This is the second time vandals have targeted the pond. Two years ago more than 50 fish were found floating in the pond but it was unclear what killed them.
Tony added: "We also had seven terrapins that belonged to my 15-year-old son. One of them has died and a number are missing. He's looking for them now. We have had the police round to check for fingerprints, but so far they haven't found anything. But I would like to put a reward out for any information on who did this."
The incident is believed to have happened on Wednesday morning.
A spokesman for Hampshire Police, said: "This was a cruel thing to do and we are investigating this incident by conducting house-to-house inquiries and having our forensic team examine the detergent bottle. We would appeal for any witnesses or anyone who knows anything to come forward."
Anyone with any information should call Bitterne police station on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the Daily Echo on 02380 424496.