Dogsey

A distraught wife trying to get an ambulance for her husband collapsed on the floor beside her with a deadly aneurysm was asked by the operator: ‘Have you got a dog?’

Furious Chris Gayther, 69, says she was bombarded with a series of daft questions as 75-year-old husband Terry fought for life and desperately needed medical help.

The final straw was the question about having a dog which is to check on the safety of the house for paramedics who are on their way.

But Chris, who had dialled 999 only to be transferred to the out-of-hours 111 services instead, said: “It was one of the most frustrating and distressing experiences of my life.

“I have never called an ambulance for my husband and I certainly didn’t expect to be swerved to the 111 service.

“Terry was dying before my eyes while I was being asked inane questions including whether I had a dog or not – I just wanted to know there was an ambulance on the way.”