Chimp up a chimney among fire brigade's oddest animal rescues

London, July 9 (ANI): A chimpanzee up a chimney and a kitten stuck in a bongo drum are some of the bizarre reasons people call the emergency line 999, according to Britain's top fire-fighter.

He revealed that the London Fire Brigade rescued 620 animals last year- one every 14 hours, on average, and up 60 per cent in five years, about half of which were cats.It is time to dispel the old stereotype about firefighters rescuing cats," the Daily Express quoted Chief Fire Officer Ron Dobson as saying

"The first port of call should always be the RSPCA.

"When firefighters are out rescuing animals, they're not available to attend real emergencies," he said.

"Many would question why their taxes are being spent on rescues we've highlighted."

Dobson 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?" (ANI)