POLICE are urging callers to think before they dial after a man rang 999 to complain that his goldfish had died.
Other ridiculous calls have included a man ringing for a taxi, a mum who rang to tell them that council workmen had left her with no hot water and a man complaining that a cash machine gave him the wrong amount.
West Yorkshire Police made the appeal because they fear the number of hoax calls – from young people in particular – could soar over the school summer holidays.
Chief Supt Simon Willsher, of the Communications Division, said: “The sheer volume of calls coming into the force means that time is of the essence.
“Our officers need to deal with emergency calls quickly in what can be potentially life-threatening situations.’’
And Chief Supt Willsher warned: “Anyone who wastes time with hoax calls is putting lives at risk.
“If people make hoax calls they will be traced and prosecuted and risk a prison sentence.”
Typical hoax calls received by the Communications Division over the past 12 months have included a false report of a teenager carrying a knife and a false report of a domestic incident.
