999 call after hamster gets out of its cage

bosque · 04-07-2009, 2:59 PM

See news feed:

BBC NEWS | UK | Hamster escape prompts 999 call

I've heard before that 8 out of 10 calls to the emergency services are trivial calls requiring no help whatsoever, if it weren't for these types of call the emergency services would have virtually nothing to do and would have to go on short hours.

*Wild Weasel* · 04-07-2009, 3:15 PM

I guess it depends on where the hamster was hiding.

PoochJD · 04-07-2009, 3:32 PM

Hi,

One word sums up that woman - moron!

I fear for her kids future!

Pooch

RMCF · 04-07-2009, 3:39 PM

What about a fixed penalty of £50 for making stupid calls to 999 ?

Might cut out the nonsense.

Julie · 04-07-2009, 3:47 PM

Can you blame her, she sounded very upset & distressed. I hope the emergency services were very sympathetic & offered the help that was needed. Her pet was obviously distressed & needed rescuing. What was the alternative, let the animal suffer, I can't off the top of my head think of any other service that would be suitable other than that of the fire brigade? Dynorod maybe? When you are in distress & panicking it's great to know you have 999 we can rely on.

Any news on the hamster? Safe & well now I hope.

*Wild Weasel* · 04-07-2009, 4:08 PM

All they had to do was tempt it out with some food. Hardly worth interupting the fire brigade's snooker game over.

Julie · 04-07-2009, 4:09 PM

Firefighters in hamster rescue : Shropshire Star:

OK then, maybe the answer is to call the fire brigade direct as in the above story, rather than using the 999 service. The duty officer can then make the call of whether they have the resources at that time, better the firefighters are out on exercise rather than being bored, loafing about drinking coffee & playing pool at the station.

dan1979 · 04-07-2009, 4:32 PM

Well if they can get cats out of tress then hamsters out of drains isn't that crazy an idea.

Singh400 · 04-07-2009, 4:37 PM

Yes, but if it was a man eating hamster, you would be all saying "why didn't she call 999, idiot".

(yes, I'm bored)

Desmo · 04-07-2009, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieBell

Can you blame her, she sounded very upset & distressed.

She just sounded thick to me

**mpn** · 04-07-2009, 5:23 PM

Call the rspca who can advise and recommend the proper course of action, they will provide you with information and even come and deal with the situation. To phone 999 is a waste of emergency services time.

Desmo · 04-07-2009, 5:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpn

Call the rspca who can advise and recommend the proper course of action

On how to keep your hamster in it's cage?

**mpn** · 04-07-2009, 5:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

On how to keep your hamster in it's cage?

No

....... if the animal is trapped, which it was. They can advise you on ways to deal with the situation. Why would you call them for information on how to keep it in the cage. They are very helpful in situations like the one which happend.

Hakagure · 04-07-2009, 6:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieBell

Can you blame her, she sounded very upset & distressed. I hope the emergency services were very sympathetic & offered the help that was needed. Her pet was obviously distressed & needed rescuing. What was the alternative, let the animal suffer, I can't off the top of my head think of any other service that would be suitable other than that of the fire brigade? Dynorod maybe? When you are in distress & panicking it's great to know you have 999 we can rely on.

Any news on the hamster? Safe & well now I hope.

I really hope you are kidding. Calling 999 for a lost hamster is indicative of someone who is living proof that brain death isnt fatal. The Emergency Services are not there to be "sympathetic" or "offer help" unless its of an Emergency nature .. see ?? .. thats why they are called EMERGENCY Services. The name is a huge hint.

My last four years in the RAF were spent working in the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss and some of the calls we used to get were hilarious. My personal favourite was the pair of hillclimbers who were well equipped, knew where they were, were not in distress or in need of medical assistance. The reason they called ?? .. they were tired and wanted a lift from a Rescue Chopper. On the other side of the coin there was the guy on Artic exped whose distress beacon was detected and then noticed tracking rapidly away from his planned route. Turns out his tent had been attacked by Polar Bears and he had legged it with just what he was standing up in and his beacon. How annoyed would you be if you were the man in the Artic having your rescue delayed because staff were having to deal with those idiots on the hills ??

dan54 · 04-07-2009, 7:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieBell

Can you blame her, she sounded very upset & distressed. I hope the emergency services were very sympathetic & offered the help that was needed. Her pet was obviously distressed & needed rescuing. What was the alternative, let the animal suffer, I can't off the top of my head think of any other service that would be suitable other than that of the fire brigade? Dynorod maybe? When you are in distress & panicking it's great to know you have 999 we can rely on.

Any news on the hamster? Safe & well now I hope.

You are having a laugh right???????????

Should of called a plumber-surely thats what most people would of done?

dUnKle · 04-07-2009, 7:52 PM

Something that people really need to be aware of is that the 999 lines into the Police Control Rooms are limited (the is not an infinite number of them) and also the number of Call Takers able to answer these calls is the same

So these type of calls are not only wasteful they are also dangerous

If there was a genuine emergency then calls such as these could prevent someone getting the help they need

ALL emergency services should attempt to eductae the public more, when stories like thse are played I bet the majority of people just laugh and shake there head in disbelief - they really need to understand its not a joking matter

Also maybe the OP would ike to take a few of the 1000s of genuine calls recived across the country each day and see if he feels the same about the short hour comment after they have spoken to someone who has found a loved one hanging, been raped or sexually assaulted or even decides that you are the audience they need as they finish there suicide act (be it plunging off a bridge, into water or blowing head off)

**Steven** · 04-07-2009, 8:37 PM

Hamsters will make a break for freedom at the slightest opportunity, pesky little critters lol

Golden retriever soon stopped that as she saw anything that could fit in its mouth as fair game (animate or inanimate likewise)

bosque · 04-07-2009, 8:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dUnKle

Also maybe the OP would ike to take a few of the 1000s of genuine calls recived across the country each day and see if he feels the same about the short hour comment after they have spoken to someone who has found a loved one hanging, been raped or sexually assaulted or even decides that you are the audience they need as they finish there suicide act (be it plunging off a bridge, into water or blowing head off)

As you've taken a pop at me, a calmer response would have been to realise that I was simply commenting on the point made by the services that 8 out of 10 calls are for the hamster rescue type, and whether someone has been raped, sexually assaulted or has plunged off a bridge, it is reassuring to know that they are in the minority (2 out of the 10 calls, right ?). It's astonishing that the emergency service is plagued by calls from such a vast number of idiots (let's hope it's only in Dewsbury).

Member 354643 · 04-07-2009, 10:09 PM

I think that people like this should be fined because this is not an emergency in my view, ringing 999 just isn't acceptable because your hamster is trapped what the hell did she think she was doing.

some poor person could be on the motorwat trapped in a car and waiting for help and she is clogging up the lines talking about a hamster.

I would sent the police to nik her!

Miyazaki · 04-07-2009, 10:50 PM

Surely a plunger and/or a bbq skewer should do the trick?

That or some caustic soda should clear the blockage?

Pincho Paxton · 05-07-2009, 2:24 AM

Her voice sounded like she has learning difficulties.

krish · 05-07-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pincho Paxton

Her voice sounded like she has learning difficulties.

has she just stepped down as Governer of Alaska?

Desmo · 06-07-2009, 6:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpn

No

....... if the animal is trapped, which it was. They can advise you on ways to deal with the situation. Why would you call them for information on how to keep it in the cage. They are very helpful in situations like the one which happend.

I was joking. Maybe I should have inserted one of these

...

neilios · 06-07-2009, 6:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pincho Paxton

Her voice sounded like she has learning difficulties.

No ,we all sound like that from yorkshire .

**Hillskill** · 06-07-2009, 7:56 AM

My Hamster died last night

He fell asleep at the wheel

**bearman3784** · 06-07-2009, 9:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillskill

My Hamster died last night

He fell asleep at the wheel

i saw the thread title and last replier as Hillskill, and that infamous joke had to be the only reason

**Hillskill** · 06-07-2009, 9:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearman3784

i saw the thread title and last replier as Hillskill, and that infamous joke had to be the only reason

Its an oldie but a goody

Razor · 06-07-2009, 9:28 AM

A load of 'One Shot' down the plug whole would of got it out.

Geege · 06-07-2009, 10:19 AM

Here is another example of the silly reasons people call 999 (genuine call within my own policing district)

Call 999 : "Help there is dust on my T.V."

Fozzybear · 06-07-2009, 6:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geege

Here is another example of the silly reasons people call 999 (genuine call within my own policing district)

Call 999 : "Help there is dust on my T.V."

Please, please, please tell me that's made up!