Woman dialled 999 when pet guinea pig went into labour

[Standard Dave]

A woman dialled 999 and asked for police – because her pet guinea pig had gone into labour.

The overzealous animal lover was among thousands of “time-wasters” who called police out unnecessarily last year.


Another woman made an emergency call after losing her slippers – while two men dialled 999 and asked for a lift home.

The details emerged after Sussex Police released a list of the “silliest” calls it had received last year.

In another instance, a young woman called police to ask for the time, while a man made an emergency call to complain about smelly drains outside his house.

The force’s control centre deals with up to 5,000 calls a day, most of which are legitimate.

Chief Inspector Stephen Brookman: "All control room staff are trained to deal with each call sensitively and assess if the person needs support.

"I think there are two types of callers in these cases – time wasters and people who are mentally ill or senile.

"Just be aware if your gerbil has gone into labour, you're not sure where your slippers have gone or your drains smell, you might want to try another route before calling the emergency services."

Devon and Cornwall Police released a list of non-essential or hoax calls they had received last year in January.

One man had dialled 999 after his Chinese takeaway arrived late, while a woman dialled the emergency number when she woke up in a panic because her duvet was covering her head.

A woman in Leeds was served with an Anti-social Behaviour Order last year after making 200 “frivolous” calls to the police.

One one occasion, Julie Chadwick dialled 999 to ask officers to find a home for her boyfriend's dog. In another instance, the 41-year-old asked police to come to her aid because a neighbour had "looked at her funny".

Woman dialled 999 when pet guinea pig went into labour - Telegraph


Members of the public you got to love them

[Cidp24]

Anti-social Behaviour Order

We need those here.

[IMGreat101]

I called 999 because there was an Essex girl in my soup.

[Captain America]

I thought only the American public were spoiled , pampered idiots.

[Ducky]

At least the US doesn't hold exclusive rights to idiocy.

[Second Chance]

I thought only the American public were spoiled , pampered idiots.

No matter where you are, THEY all the same!!!!!!!!

[Standard Dave]

We need those here.

You might be able to have ours the new government are talking about getting rid of them here.

They were great in some places making things illegal which otherwise weren't and giving a judge a sentence of upto 5 years to play with (not that they used that unless you got lucky and they went in front of the same judge a couple of times).