Residents in a building in Germany were puzzled by repeated doorbell ringing during the early hours, which turned out to be caused by an unlikely culprit. Initially, they suspected it was a prank known as ‘klingelstreich,’ a common German youth activity similar to the British game ‘knock knock ginger.’ However, the mystery was solved when authorities found a slug maneuvering on the bell plate, setting off the sensors and causing the doorbells to chime continuously.
One resident named Lisa, 30, shared her experience with a local publication, mentioning how she ignored the late-night bell ringing assuming it was a neighbor’s prank. The situation escalated when her sister-in-law, residing upstairs, confirmed the continuous ringing of their doorbells.
After identifying the slug as the cause, the police ensured the creature’s relocation to a nearby grassy area to prevent further disturbances. Lisa also observed the slime trail left by the slug on the sensors.
This incident highlights the occasional interaction between animals and doorbells, with instances where animals are triggered by doorbell sounds, leading to behaviors like barking in dogs. The Blue Cross animal charity provides guidance to help dog owners desensitize their pets to common sounds like doorbells through training techniques such as gradual exposure and positive reinforcement.