BIRMINGHAM, England — A West Midlands Ambulance service spokesman referred to a call for a pigeon looking unwell as “unbelievable” and “a waste of time which used up an emergency phone line.”
The 999 call was received on Wednesday, and the spokesman said no responders were dispatched, BBC reports.
“We didn’t send an ambulance because we’re here for people, not animals,” the spokesman said.
In April, a London Ambulance Service paramedic responded for a collapsed pigeon which, due to a language barrier, the call handler in the dispatcher center mistook for a collapsed woman.
West Midlands Ambulance has advised the public that anyone concerned about an animal should watch it to see how badly it is hurt, and contact the RSPCA or take it to a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator.
SHOCKING! Last night we took a 999 call about an injured pigeon!!! Needless to say, no ambulance sent.....#999abuse
Posted by Officialwmas on Wednesday, July 8, 2015