- #1
- 23,876
- 11,345
...then barks until help is sent and unlocks the door for the paramedics.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2004-10-29-911-dog_x.htm
Unreal.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2004-10-29-911-dog_x.htm
Unreal.
Can a dog call 911 and save the day?
- Thread starter russ_watters
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the ability of dogs (and pets in general) to call for help in emergencies, specifically focusing on anecdotes of dogs and a cat dialing 911. Participants share stories and opinions about the training of animals to assist humans in distress, exploring both humorous and serious implications of such events.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants recount stories of dogs being trained to call 911, highlighting the impressive nature of such training.
- One participant expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of a dog calling 911, suggesting that it may not be a genuine act of assistance.
- A participant shares a dramatic story involving a dog saving its owner after a fall, raising questions about animal loyalty and training.
- Another participant humorously recounts an incident where their cat accidentally called 911, illustrating the unpredictability of pets.
- There are discussions about the emotional responses to pets in distress, with one participant admitting a preference for saving their dog over a child in a hypothetical situation.
- Some participants reflect on the implications of children accidentally calling 911, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the potential for misunderstandings in emergency situations.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a mix of admiration for the capabilities of trained animals and skepticism about the reliability of such actions. There is no clear consensus on the effectiveness or authenticity of pets calling for help, as opinions vary widely.
Contextual Notes
Some anecdotes may lack detailed context or assumptions about the training and behavior of pets in emergency situations. The discussion includes both serious and humorous elements, reflecting varied perspectives on the topic.
Who May Find This Useful
Readers interested in animal behavior, emergency response, or humorous pet stories may find this discussion engaging.
- #2
quantumdude
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 5,564
- 24
Russ' Article said:
Bah. The mutt totally cheated.
- #3
BobG
Science Advisor
- 364
- 87
That's nothing.
In the military, I was stuck with Safety for an additional duty and got to read lots of mishap reports.
A captain was riding his bicycle through the mountains with both of his beloved dogs leashed to the handle bars. The dogs decided to chase a squirrel. The captain broke his collarbone. Obviously a training problem.
Months later, he had the dogs trained better than Lassie.
The captain was jogging before dawn with his beloved dogs and unexpectedly found out the bridge on his jogging route was out. Not phased a bit, he just left the road to run around the bridge. Now why would they have put a bridge there if you could simply run right around it? It still being before dawn and pretty dark, the captain ran right off a ledge. One dog broke the captain's fall, sacrificing its life in the process. The fall still left the captain helpless at the bottom of a ravine with a broken back and other injuries, but still concious. The remaining dog ran back up to road and stopped a passing car, sacrificing its life in the process. With the driver outside his car inspecting the dog's carcass, he could hear the desperate pleas for help from the captain down in the ravine.
In the military, I was stuck with Safety for an additional duty and got to read lots of mishap reports.
A captain was riding his bicycle through the mountains with both of his beloved dogs leashed to the handle bars. The dogs decided to chase a squirrel. The captain broke his collarbone. Obviously a training problem.
Months later, he had the dogs trained better than Lassie.
The captain was jogging before dawn with his beloved dogs and unexpectedly found out the bridge on his jogging route was out. Not phased a bit, he just left the road to run around the bridge. Now why would they have put a bridge there if you could simply run right around it? It still being before dawn and pretty dark, the captain ran right off a ledge. One dog broke the captain's fall, sacrificing its life in the process. The fall still left the captain helpless at the bottom of a ravine with a broken back and other injuries, but still concious. The remaining dog ran back up to road and stopped a passing car, sacrificing its life in the process. With the driver outside his car inspecting the dog's carcass, he could hear the desperate pleas for help from the captain down in the ravine.
- #4
singleton
- 119
- 0
BobG 
Hate when dogs get hurt. Though I'm the type of person who, when forced, would save my dog over the life of a child ... yes that is horrible and wrong of me but
Hate when dogs get hurt. Though I'm the type of person who, when forced, would save my dog over the life of a child ... yes that is horrible and wrong of me but
- #5
Les Sleeth
Gold Member
- 2,260
- 0
Tom Mattson said:
For pushing the right button, true. But what about this part of the report, "Faith . . . barked urgently into the receiver until a dispatcher sent help. Then . . . unlocked the front door for the police officer. "I sensed there was a problem on the other end of the 911 call," said dispatcher Jenny Buchanan. "The dog was too persistent in barking directly into the phone receiver. I knew she was trying to tell me something."
The dog knew something was wrong.
- #6
Evo
Staff Emeritus
- 24,114
- 3,277
That is incredible that a dog can be trained to tell when a person is about to have a seizure.
Then to have the dog remove the phone handset and dial 911, even if it's a single digit is pretty amazing.
My cat called 911 once, by accident. The cat jumped on the phone, knocked the receiver off and walked across the keypad. I heard the 911 operator from the receiver on the floor and tried to tell her the cat called, but she said that they had to respond to every call and a sheriff was on his way. He looked a bit perplexed when I tried to explain it to him.
Then to have the dog remove the phone handset and dial 911, even if it's a single digit is pretty amazing.
My cat called 911 once, by accident. The cat jumped on the phone, knocked the receiver off and walked across the keypad. I heard the 911 operator from the receiver on the floor and tried to tell her the cat called, but she said that they had to respond to every call and a sheriff was on his way. He looked a bit perplexed when I tried to explain it to him.
- #7
Les Sleeth
Gold Member
- 2,260
- 0
Evo said:
If you relate one more misadventure (I read your Journal, ouch!) I think I am going to have to nominate you for PF's funniest person (sorry Saint).
- #8
Evo
Staff Emeritus
- 24,114
- 3,277
Now I am forced to tell you about my other 911 encounter.Les Sleeth said:If you relate one more misadventure (I read your Journal, ouch!) I think I am going to have to nominate you for PF's funniest person (sorry Saint).
This was when I was living in Chicago, I was taking a shower when I suddenly heard a deep voice shouting "police officer, police officer" in my bedroom! I opened my shower door and looked into the barrel of a gun pointed directly at me.
Standing there stark naked and dripping wet, the officer explained that he was responding to a 911 call.
Turns out my then 2 year old daughter's day care class had discussed calling 911 if there was an emergency. My daughter decided to dial it out of curiosity. When the 911 operator answered all she heard was breathing, so they dispatched an officer.
My next door neighbors were an elderly retired couple. When the police pulled up, she was outside and they told her to run for cover (not knowing what the situation was), she injured herself trying to get away.
Oh, I have so many stories.