Goats, boyfriends, UFOs: New York reveals bizarre hotline calls

New York's non-emergency hotline is largely intended for noise complaints, rat sightings, and inquiries about much-loathed alternate-side parking rules.

But the 311 number has, in its 20 years in operation, also received its fair share of obscure inquiries that operators may have struggled to answer, the city has revealed.

The hotline is intended to cater to citizens in certain communities, who would like to report problems or ask questions about their neighborhood that do not require an immediate response. This can include parking violations, graffiti, and related concerns.

The trained representatives would then forward the reports to the local government or other public services that are tasked to address these problems.

"Can you tell me the steps for boiling a live chicken?" one caller asked, according to a list released on March 10 to mark the service's 20-year history.

Another wanted to know whether their dog could be claimed as a dependent on their taxes.

"Can you check if my boyfriend is married?" was another request, as was, "Can you transfer me to a ufo-ologist?"

One caller wanted to know who won TV talent show American Idol while another informed the city that "a goat is tied to the stairwell in my building."

"A raccoon is eating lasagna on my porch," also made the "calls to remember" list.