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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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chiefwab
chiefwab
1 year ago
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Lets go!!Trimet if you can't find this problem then build another stop for the handicap.. STAT plz...
 
chiefwab
chiefwab
1 year ago
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this is a accident in waiting. Work dogs and charge are in danger here. Article says the dogs have a memory loss. This sounds to me like another law suit as well.
 
starlitegirl
starlitegirl
1 year ago
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This could be a dangerous situation for both dog and owner. Hope it gets resolved.
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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I had no idea it cost $50,000 for a work dog.
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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What?? My goodness get fixing people. Work dogs are respnsible for their owner.If the dogs are not able to perform to the standards this could be a tragic. If unable to find the problem have another stop for the work dogs and their charge..
 
Derek C.
Derek C. (BiggDeee)
1 year ago
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They need to fix this problem immediately to safeguard the handicapped dogs in use there. So terribly sad!
 
Pat S.
Pat S. (PatSphar)
1 year ago
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I hope the resolve this situation soon, it sounds terrible
 
5doxiemom
5doxiemom
1 year ago
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sounds like they need to investigate this before it causes a death
 
vyp
vyp
1 year ago
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Get the city of Portland on the ball with this problem. It needs to taken care of immediately.
 
JazzG
JazzG
1 year ago
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I hope they get this fixed in a hurry.
 
Vicky
Vicky (TheDoglover)
1 year ago
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Did we find out any outcome on the animals being shocked? Did they stop this at the station? Can we have an update?
 
8critters
8critters
1 year ago
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I always heard that Portland is very dog friendly, so I hope they resolve this soon. I wonder how many other cities may have this issue and not even address it.
 
iseeurn
iseeurn
1 year ago
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Fix this issue immediately!! Poor animals
 
Angela L.
Angela L. (Naturestee)
1 year ago
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This sounds really dangerous, not to mention painful. Couldn't this also affect people wearing sandals or open dress shoes in the rain? I hope they fix this fast, and I hope the dogs involved recover and relearn their training.
 
Greg
Greg (SunnyRanch1)
1 year ago
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So glad the owners noticed, hopefully some electrical genius is on this as we speak.
 
Mary P.
Mary P. (marysworld)
1 year ago
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They need to fix this problem immediately to safeguard the handicapped dogs in use there. So terribly sad!
 
Hannanahmom
Hannanahmom
1 year ago
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Poor things! Can't they wear booties of some kind to protect their feet from this?
 
BumbleBee88
BumbleBee88
1 year ago
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I never thought of booties to protect the dogs feet.
This is possible if the dog and owner rides the train that often.
 
Carrie R.
Carrie R. (croe)
1 year ago
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There must be viable solutions to this problem not only here but around the country.
 
bungeboo
bungeboo
1 year ago
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strange..I hope they figure it out
 
Tara G.
Tara G. (skaterya)
1 year ago
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That's interestin that it's only happening to dogs. I hope they can figure out soon what's going on here.
 
missyscove
missyscove
1 year ago
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I wouldn't be surprised to hear it's affecting people as well.
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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Seems like some smart person could come with the reason why>>
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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something should be done ASAP nest will be people.
 
luvmybun
luvmybun
1 year ago
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I hope they can fix this soon.
 
Pat b.
Pat b. (minirex)
1 year ago
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Shocking I say!
 
BrigidsBlest
BrigidsBlest
1 year ago
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How awful!
 
sparkybun
sparkybun
1 year ago
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I hope they find out what is causing this.
 
bunnydaddy
bunnydaddy
1 year ago
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I hope they fix the problem soon.
 
lexina
lexina
1 year ago
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so have they fixed it yet
 
Patti B.
Patti B. (slavetoabunny)
1 year ago
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I didn't know you could get shocked up on the platform. I wonder why it doesn't affect people.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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Let a TriMet employee test out the situation by going bare footed. Hope the situation is under control by now.
 
Liz t.
Liz t. (lucky23)
1 year ago
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I hope they can fix it those owners need those dogs.
 
Vanessa J.
Vanessa J. (aboutmyeyes)
1 year ago
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I hope that this state can resolve this quickly.
 
linda s.
linda s. (furrybabies)
1 year ago
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who'd of thought? Poor dogs
 
kelly b.
kelly b. (bluebarttonto)
1 year ago
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Oh, the poor things......i hope they are okay and are not traumatized from this
 
LIZ R.
LIZ R. (LIZRICH)
1 year ago
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THESE DOGS PERFORM SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THEIR OWNERS LIVES. THEY NEED TO HAVE BETTER ACCOMODATIONS FOR THESE DOGS TO WAIT.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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People really are defending our animals and working animals. And That's A Good Thing!
 
James S.
James S. (carrots4)
1 year ago
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hope they figure something out
 
jacquie b.
jacquie b. (jacquieb)
1 year ago
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put some sort of raised rubber mat down with holes in it so the water is under the mats
 
Gene M.
Gene M. (lablover60)
1 year ago
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The dogs are vital to their owners, the problem must be fixed
 
DREMANN1151
DREMANN1151
1 year ago
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Hope they get to the cause of this. These dogs are doing a great service and don't need this!
 
EP
EP
1 year ago
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figure it out, if it was shocking humans it would be fixed already
 
jas4per
jas4per
1 year ago
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I hope that they figure out the cause. These guide dogs are a necessity.
 
CassidyBridges
CassidyBridges
1 year ago
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I would use a different mode of transportation until the problem is remedied.
 
Rachel G.
Rachel G. (chicinmudd)
1 year ago
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Whoa this is crazy. Poor guys!
 
ttodd
ttodd
1 year ago
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oh, that's really sad
 
Rachels
Rachels (bowwowwoff)
1 year ago
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they need to fix this ASAP.
 
Connie G.
Connie G. (cgleason)
1 year ago
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Those poor dogs. they need to remedy this situation in a hurry.
 
Ang Y.
Ang Y. (ang13112)
1 year ago
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wow, i hope they handle this quickly.
 
ruthie
ruthie (ruthiegirl66)
1 year ago
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this needs handled for the service animals sake and the person. They could provide petwear for the dogs feet, I know they have them available.
 
tonyshuman
tonyshuman
1 year ago
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what a strange phenomenon! i'm surprised people don't get shocked by it too--not everyone wears rubber-soled boots. maybe the dogs could wear sneakers? it's really too bad though. i hope they fix it.
 
John
John (TS20)
1 year ago
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I would hope they could put some sort of rubber mats down until they can find where the current is coming from!
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