OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (AP) – Authorities say a Tennessee teen whose cat was stuck in a tree falsely reported a fire to attract help.
Hamilton County 911 Center’s director of operations, Jeff Carney, tells WRCB-TVmultiple agencies responded Monday to what they thought was a fire at 18-year-old Trevor Austin Lane’s home.
According to Lane’s arrest report, his cat had been stuck in the tree since Sunday night and he figured the fire department’s “big ladders” would be of use. He was charged with a 911 violation and jailed on $1,500 bond. It’s unclear whether he has a lawyer.
Carney says dispatchers would’ve connected Lane with the appropriate resources had he been honest. He said such false calls waste resources and can be dangerous because of the haste responders make rushing to scenes.