Woman Calls Police On Man Bird Watching

CENTRAL PARK, NY—On Monday, May 25, a woman by the name of Amy Cooper called the New York Police Department on, Christian Cooper, 57, a bird watcher, who was recording her in Central Park without a leash on her dog as required by law.

The incident occurred when Amy unleashed her dog in parts of the Central Park where dogs are required to be kept on a leash. Christian asked her to follow the park rules in order for the birds not to be scared away. He offered the dog a treat in hopes that the dog would run to him, and the owner would place her dog on a leash. Christian later recorded the incident, where Amy asks him to stop recording her and threatening to call the police.

“I’m going to tell them there’s an African-American man threatening my life,” said Amy Cooper.

“Please, call the police,” Christian replies.

“I’m in the Ramble, there is a man, African-American, he has a bicycle helmet and he is recording me and threatening me and my dog,” said Cooper to the 911 operator.

She proceeds with, “I am being threatened by a man in the Ramble, please send the cops immediately!”

She later hangs up the phone, and Christian ends the video saying “Thank you.”

The video was shared on Twitter by Christian Cooper’s sister and has since received over 30 million views. Since the incident both Amy and Christian have spoken publicly about the incident. Amy has since been fired by her employer, an investment firm and returned the dog to the animal rescue where she received the animal on Tuesday, May 26.