Police officers in Derbyshire were called out to reports of an abandoned dog on Monday, only to discover the creature in distress was actually a life-sized model of Sven, the reindeer from Disney's Frozen.
The Safer Neighbourhood Team received several calls about a 'small, bully-type dog' tied up near the top of Slack Hill on Chesterfield Road, close to Matlock. Callers said the animal had been left alone all day, raising welfare concerns.
When an officer arrived to investigate, they found not a neglected pet but a model of Sven, complete with harness and a placid expression, standing patiently at the roadside. The team shared the amusing mix-up on Facebook, joking that they had found 'one of Santa's reindeer resting after a test flight over the Dales area.'
Residents joined in the festive humour, with many admitting they had also done a double-take. One local commented: 'Saw it this morning, had to look twice, then had a chuckle.' Another added: 'I'm glad people still have a sense of humour.'
The owner of the model has not been identified, but locals say Sven has been 'bringing smiles' to drivers tackling the steep hill, weeks before the official start of the festive season.
