Chicago authorities have issued a dire warning to pet owners in the city: dogs are at risk of severe injury or even death if they come into contact with light poles or manhole covers during the winter months.
This chilling warning follows a tragic incident over the weekend where a dog was electrocuted after stepping onto an electrified manhole cover in Downtown Chicago.
A Tragic Incident Leads to Urgent Warnings
The heartbreaking death occurred after a “pinched wire” caused both a manhole cover and a nearby light pole to become electrically charged, according to Alderman Brendan Reilly.
Tragically, the dog stepped on the manhole cover, leading to a fatal shock.
Another dog had been shocked hours earlier but survived, highlighting the hidden dangers of winter streets in the city.
Reilly explained that such incidents, while rare, are much more likely during the winter months due to the risk of “stray voltage.”
When exposed wires come into contact with moisture from snow or rain, they can create an invisible electrical hazard that pet owners may not even be aware of.
Salt used on roads to melt snow can further increase the conductivity of these surfaces, making the risk even greater.
How to Keep Pets Safe During Winter Months
In response to the rising concerns, Chicago’s Department of Transportation is advising dog owners to take extra precautions during the winter.
They recommend dressing pets in shoes or booties and avoiding allowing them to relieve themselves on light poles or manhole covers, as these objects may harbor hidden electrical currents.
The city’s response to the incident was swift; after receiving the report of the electrocution, the Department of Transportation quickly arrived on the scene and worked to fix the faulty wiring within an hour.
ComEd, the local electricity provider, confirmed that the malfunctioning equipment was not theirs but assisted in the repairs.
The Impact of a Shocking Loss
The incident has shaken the local community, with many expressing horror at the tragic fate of the dog. Kristen A., a woman who was one of the first on the scene, recounted the tragic moment.
She said she and her coworkers rushed outside after hearing the dog’s painful yelps.
Sadly, it was too late to attempt CPR.
“By the time we were notified, the dog was already deceased,” she explained.
The dog’s owner was understandably devastated, and the family arrived to find the heartbreaking scene.
Safety Reminders for Pet Owners
With incidents like this serving as stark reminders of the dangers lurking in the winter months, Chicago’s Department of Transportation continues to emphasize the importance of pet safety, especially in the face of stray voltage.
“Stray voltage is rare, but when it occurs, it can be deadly,” a department spokesperson stated.
Pet owners are strongly advised to avoid areas with metal objects and to stay vigilant during the colder months when snow, salt, and moisture create additional risks.
The heartbreaking death of one dog has sparked a crucial conversation about the unseen dangers our pets face on the streets during winter, and the community is urged to take necessary precautions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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