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Armed Police Storm Inmate's House To Save A 'Very Hungry' Gerbil

Armed Police Storm Inmate's House To Save A 'Very Hungry' Gerbil

Derbyshire Police had to send officers to the house after the prisoner denied RSPCA access to the animal

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

Armed police officers were required to force their way into a prisoner's home after he refused to let the RSPCA take his gerbil away.

The inmate had been in jail for a week, but wouldn't budge on giving access to the animal charity, which swiftly acted to save the gerbil and prevent it from any harm.

Unable to get to the gerbil, the charity contacted police, who sent armed officers to get into the prisoner's home.

Once they'd broken in, officers from Derbyshire Police found a 'very hungry' gerbil and rushed it straight to a nearby vet.

A statement was posted on the Derbyshire Police's city centre safer neighbourhood police page which read: "Tonight our officers have been on the sharp edge of policing as always.

"Our friends at the RSPCA informed us that an individual who was currently in prison, and had been for nearly a week now, had a gerbil at his home address.

"Sadly, the individual was refusing to give access to their address so that the RSPCA Officers could prevent the gerbil from dying or suffering unnecessarily.

Stock image of gerbils.
PA

"Our officers forced entry to the address with some help from the armed response unit and found the gerbil who was thankfully still alive but very hungry. The gerbil was taken to a nearby vet where it will be looked after by the RSPCA.

"We're not just about arresting bad guys and posing for photos on Facebook. Sometimes we're a bit soft and caring."

The RSPCA sent out a tweet to the police thanking them for their help, however this did face some backlash on social media regarding the use of police on this particular incident.

The Mirror reported how one user joked: "Is it April 1st already".

But a spokesman for Derbyshire Police spoke out adding: "Following information from the RSPCA, officers from Derby city safer neighbourhood team visited a property on Abbey Hill Road, Allestree, to prevent unnecessary suffering to an animal inside.

"Derbyshire police's Armed Response Unit also attended to assist officers in gaining quick access to the property. The animal, a gerbil, was taken to a nearby vet at the instruction of the RSPCA.

"Responses to calls from partner agencies, such as the RSPCA, are one of the many elements of community policing.

"Attendance at this incident had no impact on operational policing, due to Armed Response Vehicles being deployed across the county.

"Armed officers are routinely called on to provide support in gaining access to properties where there is a cause for concern. Had there been a need for them to be deployed elsewhere, officers would have been able to be mobilised quickly.

"In addition, on entering the property, officers found that the gas fire had been left on. This was switched off and the property able to be made safe."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Police, UK News, News, Animals