Officers from Derbyshire Police got a surprise dose of festive cheer this week when a call about an abandoned dog turned out to be a case of mistaken identity involving a beloved Disney character.
The Concerned Calls
On Monday, November 24, 2025, police received multiple reports from worried members of the public about a "small, bully type dog" that had been tied up for hours at the top of Slack Hill along Chesterfield Road, near Matlock. Concern grew as callers stated the animal appeared to have been left alone all day, prompting fears for its welfare.
A Surprising Discovery
When a Safer Neighbourhood Team officer arrived at the scene to investigate, the truth was revealed. There was no distressed dog. Instead, the officer found a life-sized model of Sven, the reindeer from Disney's hit film Frozen, standing patiently by the roadside, complete with a harness.
Sharing the amusing incident on Facebook, the Matlock, Cromford, Wirksworth and Darley Dale Police SNT team joked that they had encountered "one of Santa’s reindeer resting after a test flight over the Dales area." The social media post added that officers gave the reindeer figure "some stern words about being seen in the middle of November" before leaving him to continue his break.
Community Reaction and Festive Cheer
The light-hearted story quickly captured the imagination of local residents. Many took to social media to admit they had also done a double-take upon seeing the figure.
One local commented on the post, writing: "Saw it this morning, had to look twice, then had a chuckle." Another resident expressed hope that the decoration would remain, saying, "I think it'll be ace to let it stay there."
The mix-up provided a welcome moment of humour, with one Facebook user perfectly summarising the mood: "I'm glad people still have a sense of humour." While police have not revealed who owns the Sven model, locals report that it has been successfully "bringing smiles" to drivers navigating the steep hill, offering an early start to the festive season.
