Calls to 911 are generally associated with emergencies and serious situations, but a recent incident in Lakeville, Minnesota, has added a heartwarming and amusing twist to this narrative. This particular case involved a series of calls made to the emergency services, but instead of hearing a distressed human on the line, the dispatcher was met with the sounds of two dogs barking. This unexpected scenario quickly escalated into an adorable yet puzzling situation that captured the attention of both the local police and the community, leading to a delightful story.
After receiving multiple 911 calls from a single residence within a short time frame, two officers were dispatched to the location to investigate. Upon arrival, they found an empty house. The only occupants were two lively and enthusiastic dogs who seemed delighted to see new faces.
Officer Emiles Bares, one of the responding officers, shared his unusual experience with Fox 9. “It was just kind of weird. Usually, people come to the door. Seeing two dogs go hyper is not something I see all the time,” he remarked. The officers initially thought it might be an accidental call and were about to leave when they received more information.
Dispatch informed the officers that there had been not just one or two, but 16 calls made to 911 from the residence. This revelation prompted a more thorough investigation, as it was clear something unusual was happening at the house.
To gain entry and further investigate, the officers managed to contact the homeowner, who was at work at the time. With permission granted to enter the residence, the officers were greeted once again by the two friendly dogs. Inside, they began piecing together the events that had led to the repeated emergency calls.
Officer Roberts provided insights into the situation. “I checked if they wanted to go outside, but they weren’t interested. They were more interested in being pet. I went to his office where the cell phone was. It was on Emergency Call Only. So, in theory, a dog could have dialed 911 by pushing the screen with its paw,” he explained.
The officers deduced that the dogs, likely left alone and feeling restless or bored, had managed to make the calls by interacting with the phone.
In a light-hearted attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery, Fox 9 tried to interview the dogs. However, the pooches seemed more interested in sniffing the microphone than providing any comments on their mischievous actions. The incident brought smiles and chuckles to many as the story circulated.
The homeowner, upon learning about the situation, expressed his amusement and vowed to prevent future incidents. He stated that he had learned his lesson and would ensure his phone was out of reach of the dogs moving forward.
While this story might sound unique, it raises an interesting question: Could your dog call 911? The answer is surprisingly yes. There are many instances of pets accidentally dialing 911, and some are even being trained to do so intentionally.
Authorities have charged a New Jersey man with multiple counts of animal cruelty after they discovered several dogs in his care living in dangerous and violent conditions. Under current law, there is nothing preventing this man from owning, possessing, or caring for other animals in the future.
Melody Jackson from the animal-computer interaction lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology is at the forefront of such initiatives. She is working on training dogs to use touchscreens to contact emergency services on behalf of the elderly or those living with medical challenges. This innovative approach could one day see our furry friends becoming lifesavers in critical situations.
As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for training animals to assist in emergencies are expanding. This incident in Lakeville might be a humorous anecdote today, but it hints at a future where dogs and other pets could play vital roles in emergency response systems. For now, pet owners might want to keep their phones out of paw’s reach to avoid unexpected calls to 911.
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