Reading time: 5 minutes / Lars Buchwald / 02 September 2025
Dog and Parrot – Special Fire Service Operations and an Experience from My Everyday Life
Table of Contents
→ Dog and Parrot – Special Fire Service Operations and an Experience from My Everyday Life
→ How Quickly It Can Happen
→ In Munich: A Terrier Mix and a Small Gust of Wind
→ In Hamburg: A Parrot in the Wrong Room
→ In Bonn: Piet and the Frying Pan
→ Opening Doors – Thanks to the Fire Service
It is often the inconspicuous moments that can suddenly grow into drama. A slight gust of wind or just a single second of inattention – and the flat door clicks shut. The key is inside, and worse still: so is the pet. In such moments, you are not only faced with a locked door, but also with a rather big problem carrying real potential for escalation.
How Quickly It Can Happen
So what should you do in such a situation? First of all, stay calm. Which, in such a moment, is not really easy (more on that later in the text…). But since the problem will not solve itself, action is needed. Questions you should ask yourself first: does the neighbour have a key to my flat? If not, who else might be able to help? Brother, sister, child? If you cannot clearly answer these questions and there is no other option, then only the fire service can help.
That such situations are by no means rare is shown by several examples – for instance in Munich, in Hamburg and even once at my own home.
In Munich: A Terrier Mix and a Small Gust of Wind
A perfectly ordinary morning in Munich in 2022. The proud owner of a terrier mix wanted only to take out the rubbish and quickly fetch something from the car. The flat door was left just slightly ajar, but halfway down the stairs it was clearly audible – the well-known and often-heard “CLICK”. At that very moment, a strong draught closed the door. Inside: the curious, perhaps slightly irritated terrier mix. Outside: his rather nervous owner.
It did not take long before the dog began barking restlessly, the neighbours took notice, and the mood quickly shifted from “I’ll manage to get this open” to “Blast, it won’t work – I need help.” Attempts to open the door single-handedly failed, as expected. In the end, there was no other option: the fire service was called. Equipped with a wide range of opening tools – the very same ones locksmiths use – the crew worked their way forward with routine skill. Within minutes the lock clicked open, the door swung wide, and the dog was standing there expectantly, as if he had thought the whole time: “At last, I’ve been waiting.” And anyone who loves dogs knows what the faithful gaze of a four-legged friend means. A happy ending for everyone.
In Hamburg: A Parrot in the Wrong Room
A year earlier, in 2021, Hamburg’s fire service received an unusual emergency call: a parrot had accidentally been locked inside a room. Normally it was free to move about the flat – but when it fluttered into the room of the annex, the door clicked shut behind it. The owner first tried to open the door from outside, but without a key there was no way in.
The bird flapped around nervously, concern grew, and so the fire service arrived. Forcing the door was not an option – the risk of frightening the parrot even more was too great. So lockpicking tools were used. Shortly afterwards the door was open, the parrot somewhat bewildered, the owners relieved. For the fire service it was no routine operation, but an example of just how varied their work can be – and how much sometimes depends on steady hands and the right tools. Luckily, the firefighters in Hamburg proved to be “true northern lockpickers”.
In Bonn: Piet and the Frying Pan
Stories like these don’t just happen in the news – I experienced one myself. I was sitting in a meeting when suddenly my phone rang. On the other end was my wife, completely distraught: she had only stepped outside quickly with the rubbish – and at that very moment the door clicked shut behind her. Inside was our dog Piet. And, even more critical: a frying pan on the hob.
In seconds, a thousand thoughts raced through my head. I sprinted to the car, hit the accelerator and managed to cover what normally takes 30 minutes in just under 20. Luckily nothing had happened – the pan was beyond saving, but apart from a brief moment of shock, everything else was fine. Piet was lying calmly in his spot, as if nothing at all had happened. As a reward, he later got an extra-long walk and plenty of treats. For us it was a frightening situation, showing how quickly everyday life can turn dangerous.
Opening Doors – Thanks to the Fire Service
All three stories show: the fire service is far more than “just” firefighting. They are there when animals are in distress – whether dog, parrot or other companions. What counts is not brute force, but the ability to open doors quickly, safely and without damage. This is made possible by specialist tools, the same kind used in professional locksmithing.
Multipick is proud to supply many fire services with high-quality equipment. Tools, crafted with precision, help protect lives – sometimes those of people, sometimes those of animals. It is the small everyday moments that can suddenly turn into real emergencies. How fortunate that we can rely on the fire service – with the professionalism required and the right tools, they solve problems that seem insurmountable to us. And whether in Munich, Hamburg or at my own home in Bonn: in the end, what matters most is the relieved reunion with our beloved four- or even two-legged companions.
Many of my colleagues have pets themselves. All the more reason for us at Multipick to be glad to equip the fire service with our tools – because in an emergency, what counts is that doors are opened swiftly and that both people and animals are safe.
Links on Fire Service and Animal Rescue:
ifawe
Shelter Animals Count
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know.
Why does it happen so often that pets get stuck behind closed doors?
The most common causes are small lapses of attention: a gust of wind, a door that falls shut, or a pet that jumps against the door itself. Since animals are often curious, they move unpredictably around the home – and suddenly the door is closed. This happens regularly, especially in cities with apartment buildings.
When is it necessary to call the fire service?
Always when there is immediate danger to people, animals, or property. A dog or cat alone in the flat is usually not a problem – but if food is left on the hob, water is running, or the animal is in a direct emergency, the fire service should be called immediately.
Which tools does the fire service use for door openings?
Fire services have special opening tools, often identical in precision to professional locksmith equipment. These include lock picks, opening needles, latch sliders, and mechanical aids. The goal is to work with as little damage as possible – before heavier equipment such as spreaders or forcing tools is used.
Can pets be injured during an opening operation?
Generally not. Firefighters are trained to handle the situation calmly and carefully. Especially with sensitive animals such as parrots, cats, or small pets, care is taken not to cause additional stress. This is why many crews prefer quiet lockpicking tools rather than noisy forced methods.
What does a fire service call-out cost if you lock yourself out?
That depends on the situation. If an emergency is evident (e.g. child or pet in danger, fire risk), the costs are usually covered by the municipality. If it is merely a simple door opening without danger, the operation may be chargeable. The amounts vary greatly depending on the region.
Are there insurance policies that cover the costs of door emergencies?
Yes. Some household or liability insurance policies cover the costs of emergency openings if animals or children are in danger. It is worth checking your own policy for this. Some additional insurance packages also cover locksmith services.
How often does the fire service actually respond to “door-opening” call-outs?
Much more often than one might think. In large cities, door openings are part of daily operations, often several times a day. These cases do not only involve pets, but also elderly people, medical emergencies, or simply forgotten keys.
Can private locksmiths be an alternative?
Yes, but with limitations. Locksmiths work routinely and are usually cheaper than a non-essential fire service call-out. However, if there is imminent danger, the fire service must be called – as they can be on site within seconds and are specialised in emergencies.
What should you do to avoid such emergencies?
Leave a spare key with neighbours or family members, always lock doors with a key rather than letting them fall shut, and keep a watchful eye on hobs or running appliances. Modern door fittings or smart locking systems can also help.
Why do fire services rely on tools from specialist manufacturers such as Multipick?
Because in an emergency absolute precision, durability, and reliability are crucial. Tools that last and work instantly under stress save valuable seconds. Multipick tools are specially designed to open doors gently and effectively – a decisive advantage when human or animal lives are at stake.
About the Author
Lars Buchwald has been an integral part of the Multipick team since 2006, where he dedicates his passion and expertise to marketing and graphics. As a trained graphic designer and copywriter, he brings a wealth of experience and creativity to his work, which enables him to convey the messages of the ingenious tools in an appealing and convincing way. With a keen sense for the needs of the target group, he steers Multipick's marketing fortunes. His commitment is characterized by a high degree of sensitivity and the right richer at the right time.
As a native of Bonn, Lars not only has close ties to the region, but has also firmly integrated his passion for marketing spear tools into his professional work. His attachment to the city is reflected in his work and gives his marketing campaigns an authentic, Bonn touch.
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About Multipick
Multipick was established here in Bonn in 1997 and has had its headquarters and production facilities here on the Rhine ever since.
Why should we leave here? Anyone who has been here before will agree that it is a very beautiful place and that the people are ‘typically Rhineland’, open-minded and friendly. From an early stage, we began to occupy ourselves with a wide variety of entry tools. We tried out lock snappers and core extractors such as the Bell and gathered a wealth of experience with a wide variety of tools. Whether it was a lock pick set or special tools for fire brigades and locksmiths, in the end the door or window had to be opened. In line with the motto, you got the problem and we got the solution.
Many tools, irrespective of hobby or professional, are dispatched from our warehouse to destinations throughout the world.
Opening tool kits for caretakers and locksmiths, pick sets and lock picking accessories for Locksport enthusiasts and Hobbs hooks for specialists to unlock locked safes. There are thousands of different ways to deploy our specialised tools. Our TFG latch plates and key turners allow a closed door to be reopened. QA Pro 2 and our V-Pro core pulling screws can be used to open a locked door. We also offer milling burrs and drill bits for those situations where there really is no other way. Many useful aids such as MICA opening cards, wedges, door latch spatulas, door handle catches and spiral openers, which are all useful tools to help you get the job done. But even if things get a bit complicated, you are in good hands with us. Products such as the Kronos and Artemis electric picks are our top highlights. Anyone who likes to open dimple locks or disc locks will be delighted with the ARES system. For opening windows, we offer you a range of top products from Kipp-Blitz. Favoured by emergency services such as the fire brigade, THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) and police. Many of our tools are manufactured in-house. This gives us the liberty to manufacture quickly and in a customer-orientated manner. No lengthy supply chains and subcontractor dependencies. This has a number of advantages both for you and, of course, for our environment. One big advantage is that you get everything from a single source, enabling us to offer you consistent quality. This is also our promise to you, all from a single source, Made in Germany, Made in Bonn - promised.
