MANCHESTER, U.K. — Paramedics called to save the life of a 7-year-old “boy” in Manchester found the patient was a dog.
North West Ambulance Service said Tuesday’s call was “given the highest priority” based on the caller’s answers.
The paramedic arrived on scene in a rapid response vehicle only to find the patient was a dog suffering from heat exhaustion.
The service described the incident as a “blatant misuse of the 999 number.”
NWAS said the caller told the medic he called 999 because he did not know what else to do and “he knew the ambulance service would arrive quickly.”
The medic told colleagues he had “rushed through busy traffic to be greeted by a man and his dog,” and described the incident as “a complete waste of time.”
“We understand that dogs are like part of the family, but this incident is a blatant misuse of the 999 number,” said Steve Hynes, head of service for Greater Manchester at NWAS.
He added that a person with a serious or life-threatening condition could have waited longer than necessary for help because of the call.
According to the BBC, of the 1,200 emergency calls received in the Greater Manchester area on Tuesday, 54 percent did not require treatment at an emergency department.
Paramedics called to ‘boy’ in #Manchester find dog https://t.co/vodGqjXIOD pic.twitter.com/dNhtlAV6KB
— BBC Radio Manchester (@bbcradiomanc) July 20, 2016