By John Ingham
The Express
LONDON — A chimpanzee up a chimney and a kitten stuck in a bongo drum are among bizarre reasons people call 999, Britain’s top firefighter said yesterday.
He said the London Fire Brigade rescued 620 animals last year — one every 14 hours, on average, and up 60 percent in five years. About half were cats.
Chief Fire Officer Ron Dobson said: “It is time to dispel the old stereotype about firefighters rescuing cats. When firefighters are out rescuing animals, they’re not available to attend real emergencies. Many would question why their taxes are being spent on rescues we’ve highlighted.”
He launched a campaign with the RSPCA whose Klare Kennett advised cats could rescue themselves, saying: “After all, when was the last time you saw a cat’s skeleton up a tree?”
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