If you’ve ever misidentified a shadow in your house as a lurking intruder, or mistaken a garden hose for a snake (no judgment), then you’ll appreciate the residents of Matlock, Cromford, Wirksworth and Darley Dale — who recently spent an entire day convinced a “small, bully-type dog” had been abandoned on a hilltop.

The reports kept coming in: a lonely little dog, tied to a post at the top of Slack Hill, stiffly enduring the November chill. Concerned neighbors did what any good citizens would do — they called the police.

Officers arrived prepared for a rescue mission… only to discover they had been sent to investigate Sven.

Yes, that Sven — the goofy reindeer sidekick from Frozen. A toy reindeer figurine, to be precise. The plastic hero stood dutifully harnessed to the post like he was waiting for Kristoff to hurry up with his lutefisk. The photo in the Facebook post shows the full glory of the situation: Sven’s wide-eyed, slightly derpy expression staring serenely into the wilderness.

The police couldn’t resist leaning into the comedy of it all. As they wrote on Facebook:

“After being given some stern words about being seen in the middle of November, Officers left the fella to his break.”

Residents flooded the comments with confusion, amusement, and collective sheepishness.

One person confessed:

“I fell for that one too and had to ask hubby if it was real or not.”

Another worried, perfectly reasonably under the circumstances:

“So it’s not been removed so no one else is also concerned.”

And honestly, fair question — Sven did look like he needed a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket.

The owner of the festive fugitive has yet to come forward, so for now he remains an accidental local celebrity. In a way, it feels fitting. November may be early for reindeer appearances, but who are we to judge a creature who literally works one night a year?

Sometimes the world gives you mystery, sometimes it gives you wonder… and sometimes, if you’re lucky, it gives you a toy reindeer who unintentionally sparks a full-blown neighborhood welfare check.

Frozen’s Sven would be proud. Or confused. Probably both.

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