Westlake Residents Play Cat And Mouse In 911 Calls

WESTLAKE, OH — Westlake Police briefly became a hotline for residents panicking about pets and animals, or looking to assuage a bout of ennui on June 28. Police said the department dealt with a trio of calls on its emergency line that all could have been handled by a single people-friendly, animal hunting cat.

First, a Coes Post Run woman dialed 911 in a huff because a mouse had gotten loose in her house. She was told to call back the next morning on the non-emergency line and to speak to the Animal Control Officer. Realizing the solution was in front of her the whole time, the resident decided to sic her pet cat on the mouse. It is the gentleman's agreement between owner and pet feline that interloping mice and rats will be dealt with swiftly by the animal.

Next, a 4-year-old called 911 to shoot the breeze with the dispatcher. If the child had been playing with a friendly cat, he likely would not have called police. Just a thought.

Finally, a caller told 911 the pet parrot had climbed up a tree on Bay Landings Drive and was declining requests to come down. The assistance of the fire department was requested. Cats are skilled at chasing, scaring, and removing birds (though they also are famous for becoming stuck in trees themselves, so perhaps this needs more thought).

A spokesperson for Westlake Police dubbed June 28 "911 Tomfoolery Day."

For those with pressing mice and parrot needs, or in need of furry companionship, the Cleveland Animal Protective League and Lakewood Animal Shelter have cats available for adoption.

Photo from Pixabay