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Guide Dogs Shocked by Trains, Reps Say

by Matt Van Hoven

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BY CATEGORY:
BY PET:

February 6, 2008

PORTLAND, Or. – According to The Associated Press, a number of guide dogs are being affected by mild electric shocks as they wait on wet public train platforms.

TriMet representatives say they have no idea why dogs are getting shocked, but as a result, the highly trained canines’ ability to perform diminishes.

One guide dog owner said she witnessed her dog stumble from a shock as they boarded a train, but that was the most severe physical reaction that’s been reported.

For most dogs, forgetting how to sit and stay is an easy enough remedy to fix. However, training a guide dog costs upwards of $50,000 – a cost that falls on train management. And should a dog need to go back to school for retraining, its owner loses not only a helping hand, but a close friend for that period of time.

About 10 years ago, TriMet experienced a similar situation, where dogs that stepped on the train tracks suffered memory loss after getting lightly zapped.

TriMet representatives say that problem has been fixed by rail capacitors that soak up the extra voltage. Nonetheless, the problem has arisen again. Since Portland is no stranger to rain, resolving the issue should be an immediate need for the city.

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oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
5 months ago
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This is so unfortunate. I hope they figured out a solution.
 
Connie C.
Connie C. (cj9448)
8 months ago
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Gosh, couldn't they at least put rubber matting up the stairs and down the aisles? So unfair to these animals who lives are dedicated to helping their masters! I hope they get it resolved for their sake.
 
Annie G.
Annie G. (HfHAnnie)
8 months ago
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Poor doggies!
 
Terry F.
Terry F. (TZFitch)
8 months ago
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Strange. For the owners' sake, I certainly hope they can resolve this situation. I'd really be curious to hear if they solve this and how they did it.
 
bonzosmom
bonzosmom
8 months ago
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Poor dogs. This problem needs to be fixed right away.
 
Betty W.
Betty W. (BettyWood)
8 months ago
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Wow! That is odd. I hope they can fix the problem. Maybe rubber soled shoes for the dogs.
 
Stacie R.
Stacie R. (Stac928)
8 months ago
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That is disturbing. Hopefully they will be able to remedy this situation quickly.
 
dstrykr
dstrykr
9 months ago
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The simple fix is to put rubber mats down where the shocking is occurring, whether on the platforms or on the trains.
 
Ann G.
Ann G. (amgfnyc)
9 months ago
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I've heard that Portland is a very progressive city. They should be able to fix this problem!
 
DEREKDEMANE
DEREKDEMANE
9 months ago
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Hopefully, they will get the problem solved.
 
Geoff L.
Geoff L. (glcats)
9 months ago
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Wow...that would be a little disturbing for me if I had to wait with my dog.
 
Pia S.
Pia S. (GuinnieGirl)
10 months ago
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Very frightening. I'm curious what the long-term effect is going to be on this poor dog now. Hopefully, the organization that trained it will return to help.
 
debby r.
debby r. (debbyrich)
10 months ago
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They really have to do something. Their guide dogs are a part of them. If it was the person it would of already been corrected. What is taking so long to correct this serious problem????
 
NFSAW S.
NFSAW S. (nfsaw)
10 months ago
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I would think there would be some way to fix that situation so dogs aren't being hurt.
 
Ralph M.
Ralph M. (Ralph1)
10 months ago
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Couldn't they use a rubber mat, or elevated wood platform?
 
Edward Robin
Edward Robin (erobin)
10 months ago
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This is very sad. I hope they resolve it soon.
 
Sarah W.
Sarah W. (Roxymimi)
11 months ago
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Wow.Strange.
 
Allison M.
Allison M. (meyera26)
11 months ago
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They also have this problem mostly in NYC with the grates in the sidewalks. Many dogs have been shocked from this. It seems to happen every winter. I know The Seeing Eye now provides their dogs with boots for the winter to stop this from happening.
 
Andy K.
Andy K. (Krochalk)
11 months ago
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Ouch. Poor pups. I assume this has been taken care of and the stray voltage is no longer affecting the critters. People need to take into account more than just people when constructing things. Why, though, is the stray voltage not affecting people? Is it too subtle for us to feel it?
 
Rhonda T.
Rhonda T. (MrsRLT)
11 months ago
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I would be interested in follow ups on this story. If it is hurting the dogs and diminishing their abilities it is bad and then if it is doing it right when their blind owner is needing them for assistance is a double whammy. I wonder how many other places experience the same thing without knowing it.
 
Diane W.
Diane W. (briggs77)
11 months ago
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It's awful that the dogs are getting punished by a shock for doing their job. No wonder the dogs are confused and frightened of going near the tracks.
 
cindy-lou J.
cindy-lou J. (Cindyloulou)
11 months ago
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Wow, how awful. Hope it gets corrected, I'm curious if there is an update report
 
lindsey c.
lindsey c. (SnushKid)
11 months ago
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thats so sad... i hope they find a solution to this soon.
 
Kate H.
Kate H. (dixiepets)
11 months ago
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Wow that's unreal. Poor dogs.
 
alexis93
alexis93
1 year ago
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sad
 
hauler
hauler
1 year ago
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Maybe a program can provide these dogs with some of the shoes the K9 dogs are getting if they can't fix their problem.
 
Michelle H.
Michelle H. (sinbad90)
1 year ago
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I hope they are able to find a solution to this problem. I am glad none have suffered more serious effects.
 
RoseLong
RoseLong
1 year ago
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This is really scary! I hope they will be able to remedy this situation quickly so that no more dogs are zapped. Poor pups and their companions.
 
Tammy K.
Tammy K. (Tammo)
1 year ago
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This is a sad issue. It needs a solution quickly. Assistance animals are sorely needed and take a lot of time and effort to train. Maybe they should read the article on the k9 patrol unit who are adding shoes to their units. Maybe rubber soled dog shoes would help solve the problem.
 
Marissa N.
Marissa N. (Marissa1992)
1 year ago
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This really needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
1 year ago
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Sad. I hope they get it fixed.
 
Jeanie F.
Jeanie F. (JFulton99)
1 year ago
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I wonder how long they have known about the problem and what they are doing to fix it.
 
Tad D.
Tad D. (tadjr)
1 year ago
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Thats odd. I guess it happens to the dogs and not humans because of their size?
 
JazzG
JazzG
1 year ago
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I would like to know what has happened.
 
JAG
JAG
1 year ago
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I hope they have resolved this problem by now.
 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
1 year ago
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Terrible!!
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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I'd like an update
 
ruthie
ruthie (ruthiegirl66)
1 year ago
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Have they got this problem fixed yet?
 
mARY ANN M.
mARY ANN M. (foxflower)
1 year ago
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If this is a danger for dogs it can also be a danger for small children and other animals and should not exist.

Recently in Chicago, one of the circuits under the sidewalks that have heating elements under them to melt snow shorted and started giving people walking on them mild shocks. Nothing serious but imagine if it was a guide dog or a child.
 
Brad J.
Brad J. (BradJohnston)
1 year ago
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I never would have thought of that, but I guess I would have if I was barefoot. Poor dogs. They definately need to fix that.
 
lambrhondal
lambrhondal
1 year ago
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These helpers certainly need help! I did not think of them getting shocked but it makes sense.
 
Lana S.
Lana S. (critterfriend)
1 year ago
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They need to fix the problem, but in mean time, maybe some organization can get the dogs those cute little shoes I saw for sale on zootoo!
 
TimDemp30
TimDemp30
1 year ago
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Geez, how sad. They need to fix the problem right away.
 
Pat A.
Pat A. (patscats)
1 year ago
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Where are the experts ?.....the average person doesn't qualify to try and figure this out....step up and fix this, poor animals.....
 
jill l.
jill l. (JillLong)
1 year ago
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I hope they are able to figure out what is going on and solve this problem quickly.
 
Louise P.
Louise P. (lmpickford)
1 year ago
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This needs to be figured out why it is still happening. Even if the trains pay the expense for the dog to go back to school, the dog's companion is without its guide dog.
 
Denise O.
Denise O. (Deebob)
1 year ago
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Well if they know it is happening, do some research, figure out a quick fix to help out until it is figured out. I am afraid if nothing is done the animal is not able to do its job properly. They are service dogs, but that doesn't mean they are not any less important than a human life. If it is doing it to them, it could happen to a child, a teen or a grown human.
 
Lenny K.
Lenny K. (Lissy)
1 year ago
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I hope the problem is solved soon.
 
Ustice101
Ustice101
1 year ago
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Hope they fix the promblem
 
jerri
jerri (supercat)
1 year ago
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They need to do something about this right away
 
bonnie
bonnie (bonschreck)
1 year ago
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hope they fix the problem, poor dog
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