Animal calls, pocket dials, COVID questions tying up 911 lines

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says pocket dials and reports of animals in attics are tying up emergency lines and using valuable resources.

Acting Sgt. Ed Sanchuk says police have been receiving a number of 911 calls about animal intruders and residents asking questions about COVID-19.

“Please don’t call 911 if you have a raccoon in your attic, or if you have a bat or a raccoon in the driveway,” said Sanchuk. “We do not have any specialized equipment to cage or house live wild animals.”

Last month, an emergency 911 call was received from a Norfolk County resident after a dog was seen on the caller’s property.

He says residents experiencing that type of issue should contact their local wildlife removal service.

OPP says 911 lines should be used for real emergencies only like a break and enter in progress, an assault, or a medical emergency where you believe someone may be suffering from a stroke or heart attack.

Sanchuk also reminded residents that even if you pocket-dial police by mistake, you should stay on the line to let the operator know.

“A lot of times people will pocket-dial us and then hang up the phone. They don’t want us to answer the phone. What happens then is that a minimum of two officers are dispatched to that call,” said Sanchuk. “By the time the officers attend that call, investigate that call, and clear that call, you’re looking at approximately 30 minutes of time that where we could have been spending in the community responding to real emergencies.”

OPP says parents and caregivers who give an old phone to a child as a toy should disconnect the battery 911 can still be activated on those phones.