I work on a college campus as a dispatcher for the campus police. The college is small and backs right up to a mountain and desert area so there can be wildlife. It also has a larger number of international students. One evening I am at work and my sergeant on duty is going over paperwork in the office when I get a panicked, hysterical 911 call.)
Me: “911, what is your emergency?”
Caller: *with a heavy accent* “Oh, oh, oh, please! You have to help! You have to help!”
(Adrenaline starts pumping; I can tell by her voice that she is truly terrified. My change of demeanor has my sergeant leaping up, ready to get out the door as soon as we have a location.)
Me: “Ma’am, please tell me where you are.”
Caller: “I’m in my car— I’ve locked the doors. Oh, my god, there are people walking around! They are going to get eaten!”
Me: *thinking: WTF, eaten?* “Ma’am, what is the emergency? Where are you parked?”
Caller: “It’s— There’s— It’s wild foxes! They are right here! By the [Building], just-just-just here!”
(My sergeant, who is listening but can’t be heard, loses it. She is cracking up so much and I have to stay professional sounding.)
Me: “Ma’am, did the foxes approach you in anyway? Are they following people around?”
Caller: “No; oh, god, is someone coming? There are people just out and they could get eaten!”
(My sergeant indicates that she will go so the other officers can complete their rounds.)
Me: “Yes, ma’am, an officer is on there way. Foxes generally don’t eat people. It is okay.”
(My sergeant is there in about three minutes and then calls me less than ten minutes later, laughing so hard she is crying.)
Sarge: “[My Name]! They… they… they are just two baby foxes! Tiny cubs! Playing in the sprinklers… She locked the car and wouldn’t even roll down the window to talk to me! There are students taking pictures of the foxes. I finally got her to crack the window and convinced her she could drive away. BABY foxes!”
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