A HOUSING association has demanded that a tenant demolish his fish pond due to safety fears which were deemed "ridiculous".

A family in Saxton Road in Abingdon were shocked to be threatened with eviction by Sovereign officers, who allegedly said the fish-filled pools were a danger.

Kevin Sheehan, who lives with his partner and their one-year-old daughter, said Sovereign complained when he started building up his pond so little Olivia couldn't fall in.

The 62-year-old said: "I was thinking of my daughter's safety and was building it up another two blocks. I had it at the old height for about 15 years and it's never been a problem.

"The reason they gave was if someone breaks into the back garden they can fall in the pond because there's a six-foot fence all round and they can't see it. I said 'well they shouldn't be breaking in'."

His fish, including Koi carp, fantails and goldfish, are currently swimming in a small covered pond at the bottom of his garden while he extends their normal home.

A letter addressed from Sovereign to Mr Sheehan said the large brick pond must be removed because of "possible risk" and the smaller one because it "could impact on the safety of the residents or general public".

It threatened him with "notice seeking possession" if he failed to act within three weeks.

Mr Sheehan said: "It's my home, I am going to fight it as much as I can – there is no rule in the tenancy about fish ponds.

"I use my pond for leisure, it relaxes me.

"I've got about 80 fish in the pond, where can I put these fish if I've not got a pond? I can't put them in the river, I'd get into trouble. They can't die because of this."

The manager of Dragons Gate Koi in East Hanney, where Mr Sheehan buys his fish, said: "I have had three children myself and always had fish ponds. It's dangerous if the parent doesn't look after their kid but you can say that about putting them in a bath or crossing the road. It's ridiculous.

"This is absolutely crazy. Dogs are more harmful to children than fish ponds, are they going to stop council tenants having dogs? It's pathetic."

Debbie Down, spokeswoman for Sovereign, said: "We don’t want to prevent anyone enjoying hobbies which may include fish keeping in a garden pond, but as the landlord we ask residents to get our permission if they intend running a business from their home or building a permanent structure."

She said they were now in talks with Mr Sheehan to reach a solution and that there is no longer a danger of eviction.

She did not comment on Mr Sheehan's claims about the safety of children and failed to confirm if other residents in the road had been asked to remove their ponds.