Man reported his ex-girlfriend to police in bitter custody dispute… over their pet hamster
Unnamed Geordie told the operator that the rodent was his, but his former partner wouldn't hand him over
A MAN reported his ex-girlfriend to police in a bitter custody dispute — over their pet hamster.
He phoned 101 and told the operator that the rodent was his, but his former partner wouldn't hand him over and was overfeeding him.
The man told police that his ex-girlfriend was overfeeding the hamster
He said: "He's ended up looking like a fat little pig."
The Northumbria Police operator listened sympathetically as the unnamed Geordie caller revealed: "Me and my girlfriend split up a while ago and she's got my hamster but she'll not give us it back.
"I know it sounds daft but it's my little hamster.
"I don't want to cause any trouble whatsoever, she'll not give us it back because she says 'I look after it better than you' but it's ended up looking like a fat little pig.
"Not being disrespectful to the hamster, he was my pride and joy.
"I need him back now, he has only got a couple of years left in him because they only live so long and I love him."
The man was politely informed that it wasn't a police matter.
Northumbria Police released the recording yesterday as it urged the public not to bombard them with unnecessary calls.
The force receives one million 101 calls a year, 15% of which are about non-police matters and include a woman and another woman asking officers for help to catch a spider.
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Chief Superintendent Sav Patsalos, head of the force communication centres, said the number of inappropriate calls was caused by a lack of information about the service.
He said: "We frequently get 101 calls about non-police issues like fly tipping or nuisance parking when the local authority is the best place to go.
“We also get calls about injured animals where the RSPCA can assist, problems with mobile phones where Ofcom can give advice and what to do about scrap vehicles when the DVLA need to be notified.
"These calls to our 101 service mean our call handlers act as a referral service rather than being able to help those in need.
"This campaign isn't about trying to embarrass people as the majority of people will genuinely think that we will be able to help them with whatever situation they find themselves in.
"What we are trying to do is educate people about when it is appropriate to call the police and when it is appropriate to contact another organisation.
"Our call handlers need to use their time delivering the best possible service and to making sure those who need a police response receive one.
"We have worked closely with all of the local authorities and today our website has been updated with a host of information about who to contact in a particular situation as well as a list of frequently asked questions.
"We know some people may not have internet access and will still need to ring us, but we hope to help more people source the information they need themselves to keep our lines available for those who do need our help."
The force reminded the public to call 999 in emergencies if a life is at risk or a crime is happening.
Rodent rant
"I know it sounds daft but it’s my little hamster. She says, ‘I look after it better than you’. But it’s ended up looking like a fat little pig.
"Not being disrespectful to the hamster, he was my pride and joy. I need him back now, he has only got a couple of years left in him and I love him. "