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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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Brigit800
Brigit800
1 year ago
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I didn't think you were suppose to step on the train tracks. Isn't that dangerous?
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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I don't think it is the rails.
 
Jim S.
Jim S. (lear08)
1 year ago
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Intrestring, hopefully they can figure out the cause and fix it.
 
iseeurn
iseeurn
1 year ago
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poor babies- fix this problem soon so they can do their job to their fullest extent
 
Tanya F.
Tanya F. (tfronczek)
1 year ago
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Wow, never knew that. That is not good when these animals are extensively trained and then while working get zapped and maay lose their memory. Someone should work on fixing this. Wonder is some kind of shoe or boot would help the situation.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Janie
Janie (wildlifephotomom)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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Has anything been done to correct this situation yet? Please update us.
 
greenkitty44
greenkitty44
1 year ago
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That's interesting.....Hopefully, they can figure out the problem quickly at a low cost.
 
Therese S.
Therese S. (servast)
1 year ago
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Oh my--this needs to be fixed here and al over the country--Seems as if any living creature would be affected similarly!
 
Peggy F.
Peggy F. (PeggyFox)
1 year ago
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Since reading this story over a month ago it would be nice to have an update
and tell us if anything has been done yet? Hope the city didn't just forget about
it since this deals with animals.
 
Lynn C.
Lynn C. (Lynn1)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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Should a person be barefoot on the wet platform, maybe they would receive the same shock? Maybe guide dogs should wear rubber shoes if their handler, friend has to take the train. Other dogs wear shoes to protect them in certain situations ~ maybe, until the problem is fixed, that would help.
 
Jill6Johnson
Jill6Johnson
1 year ago
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How sad, I hope they fix the problem.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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What is the solution?
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Solve it quick?!
 
janet b.
janet b. (janetbrookfield)
1 year ago
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Terrible! That needs to be solved immediately!
 
janet b.
janet b. (janetbrookfield)
1 year ago
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That's terrible! That needs to be solved immediately!
 
PennyOnTheFloor
PennyOnTheFloor
1 year ago
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I hope they fix this asap!
 
Doggieluvs
Doggieluvs
1 year ago
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I never stopped to think about them being shocked. Hope something gets done quickly.
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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I hope this situation is taken care of immediately. And hopefully this time they will find a more permanent solution to prevent this from happening again.
 
melissa7271
melissa7271
1 year ago
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I would never have thought of this. I hope something is done since it is clearly an issue.
 
WANSTREET
WANSTREET
1 year ago
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I hope this is resolved quickly. A stumbling guide dog could endanger their owner.
 
Sarah M.
Sarah M. (maxscout)
1 year ago
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Poor dogs. Hope it got fixed.
 
Anne M.
Anne M. (AnneM)
1 year ago
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I hope this problem is fixed by the time I write this!! How awful for those poor dogs to be doing their job and get shocked. They are wondering what they did wrong!!
 
cat100
cat100
1 year ago
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Poor puppies
 
SandyReedy
SandyReedy
1 year ago
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Now I've heard everything! How sad for the dogs, and for their humans who depend on them for help. Surely the authorities will do something to solve this problem.
 
Deb T.
Deb T. (DEBTAN)
1 year ago
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Would rubber booties help?
 
PetBunny
PetBunny
1 year ago
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Poor dogs, serving their owners.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
1 year ago
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Weird...are dogs more sensitive to electro-shock?
 
Mike D.
Mike D. (Criotic)
1 year ago
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That really suckss
 
Teresa K.
Teresa K. (TeresaKline)
1 year ago
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What an odd issue but one that needs a quick fix.Guide dogs are obviously of necessity and the person is stranded basically w/o their guide dog or someone else to help.
 
Seana B.
Seana B. (funkiemunkee)
1 year ago
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Wow, what a baffling problem, but I hope it is fixed ASAP. And I would hope that this problem would be taken into account by engineers and architects in other parts of the country as well . . .
 
Todd G.
Todd G. (boonta316)
1 year ago
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it is weird that dogs can get shocked but people cannot
 
april8sue
april8sue
1 year ago
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I see this as being a problem that could be fixed right away. What are they waiting for? If it shocks dogs than why wouldn't it shock a human?
 
Tobias W.
Tobias W. (Rak)
1 year ago
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My theory: Static electricity. Unlike (most :P) humans, dogs are covered in fur. Their fur retains the natural static. So, if the dog is getting a mild shock it's going to be amplified.

There are also studies that may show that dogs are able to 'attract' or 'feel' (for a lack of better phrases?) electricity, which is why so many dogs may be sensitive to electrical storms for reasons other than noise.
 
hawley97
hawley97
1 year ago
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This could affect the life of the guide dog owner!
 
hawley97
hawley97
1 year ago
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This is ridiculous! The train platform needs to be grounded. How hard could that be? Fix it.
 
swimallfly
swimallfly
1 year ago
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i would freek out if i was shocked too.
 
Cortney T.
Cortney T. (crt5040)
1 year ago
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If it does effect people what would it do? if it makes dogs forget...that is the true question.....
 
Cortney T.
Cortney T. (crt5040)
1 year ago
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I wonder why it does not affect humans .
 
Wyoming County S.
Wyoming County S. (wcspca1)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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wonder how that could be fixed? maybe rubber boots for the dog
 
Mary M.
Mary M. (mandygirl)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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They need to fix this problem fast.
 
FruitLoopLucy
FruitLoopLucy
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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someone or one of the dogs are going to get hurt seriously.. Then the law suit OH boy!!
 
FruitLoopLucy
FruitLoopLucy
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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I am wondering if the harness have something that attracts to get the jolt. Does not matter it should be fixed quickly.
 
Anne W.
Anne W. (hyjinxannie)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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If the work dogs get memory loss from this what happens to the charge?? Holy Moley!! I would think TriMit might move a little faster. This would be a great lawsuit...
 
Anne W.
Anne W. (hyjinxannie)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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If this happened before why don't they do what they did then?? I don't find that to be difficult..
 
suzie80
suzie80
1 year ago
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Seems to me someone can figure this out. Some of the engineers in the 6 figures shouldbe consulted....
 
suzie80
suzie80
1 year ago
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What are we waiting for, do something if you have to put the dock somewhere else for the handicap made out of different materials.. Don't blame the rain... that is just an excuse..




 
vbliss
vbliss
1 year ago
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Reply
Find a new spot for the handicapp to be picked up.. How come people are not getting the jolt. Maybe it is the work dogs harness... That should be checked..
 
vbliss
vbliss
1 year ago
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this is terrible this is a accident in waiting.. TriMet get on the stick here......
 
dogsrule2
dogsrule2
1 year ago
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this is awful, they need to find out why this is happening and stop is quickly. At least now people have been warned they can try to find alternate means of transport till it is resolved
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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this is a tradegy in waiting, Dog and owner could be seriously hurt.. Than face that law suit..Just hire a scientist that knows about this and fix whatever it is..
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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don't use this form of transportation, untill the problem is fixed..Has citations or any law suits come up from this dock problem. Rain was metioned well weather is weather, if this is the problem rain cover it or find something better to do.
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