Calls to 911 usually involve emergencies requiring immediate assistance, but a recent incident in Lakeville, Minnesota, added an amusing twist to this norm. Emergency dispatchers answering multiple calls from a local residence were met not with the voice of a distressed human, but with the energetic barks of two playful dogs. What followed was a baffling yet heartwarming series of events that delighted the responding officers and the community alike.
After receiving numerous hang-up calls, officers were dispatched to investigate. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered the house seemingly empty—except for two enthusiastic dogs excitedly greeting them from inside. Officer Emiles Bares, one of the first responders, shared 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.”
Initially assuming it to be a one-time accidental call, the officers were prepared to leave when dispatch informed them that a staggering 16 calls had been made from the same residence. Realizing something unusual was unfolding, the officers delved deeper into the mystery.
After contacting the homeowner, who was at work, the officers gained permission to enter the property. The friendly dogs greeted them warmly once more. Inside, they began piecing together how two four-legged residents managed to generate such chaos.
Officer Roberts shared his insight: “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.” After thorough inspection, the officers concluded that the dogs had inadvertently triggered multiple emergency calls by interacting with a smartphone set to ‘Emergency Calls Only’ mode, perhaps out of boredom or curiosity.
In a playful attempt to get a statement, Fox 9 attempted to interview the mischievous canines, yet the dogs seemed more interested in sniffing the microphone than commenting on their antics. The lighthearted story quickly spread, bringing laughter and smiles far beyond Lakeville.
The homeowner, informed of the unexpected mischief, expressed both amusement and surprise. He assured authorities he would take extra precautions to ensure his phone remained safely out of paw’s reach in the future.
This adorable incident sheds light on the surprising reality that dogs—and other pets—can indeed accidentally contact emergency services.
- Pets might unintentionally dial emergency numbers by playing with touchscreens.
- Devices left on ‘Emergency Call Only’ mode can make this even more likely.
More excitingly, researchers such as Melody Jackson from the animal-computer interaction lab at Georgia Institute of Technology are exploring ways to purposefully train dogs to use technology for emergency situations. Jackson’s work focuses on helping service dogs interact with touchscreens to contact emergency services for people who may be incapacitated. This emerging field paints a fascinating future where pets play essential roles in emergency response systems.
While today’s story is a charming anecdote about playful dogs accidentally reaching out for help, innovations like touchscreen training hint at a day when such acts could genuinely save lives. For now, though, it’s a reminder for all pet owners to securely store their phones to avoid any unexpected 911 calls from their curious companions.
Watch the incredible story unfold below!
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