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Guide Dogs Shocked by Trains, Reps Say

by Matt Van Hoven

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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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qwerty1234
qwerty1234
1 year ago
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That's weird, poor dogs, just doing their job.
 
Jodi M.
Jodi M. (binbin88)
1 year ago
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Interesting. I wonder why TriMet doesn't just fix it the same way they did 10 years ago? In the meantime, perhaps the people could find alternative transportation?
 
ManedWolf422
ManedWolf422
1 year ago
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Rubber booties are a good suggestion. I remember reading about dogs wearing them in NY because they were getting electrical discharge from the street lights through the salted snow. Most people don't notice since we wear shoes (the majority of which are rubber-soled) but there's a lot of built up charge in cities.
 
Jodi M.
Jodi M. (binbin88)
1 year ago
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What a great idea! Perhaps TriMet could hand them out to those in need.
 
JEANBUCKLEY
JEANBUCKLEY
1 year ago
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They know about it. They better fix it. I feel sorry for those poor animals and for their owners if they have to be retrained.
 
Taja S.
Taja S. (slolane2006)
1 year ago
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Ouch - those poor things. Protective boots could be a feasible answer, but wouldn't it be better to have the shocking stop? I would think the city would be in a hurry to figure out and fix that problem.
 
Linda W.
Linda W. (equs2)
1 year ago
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Maybe the idea of protective boots offered by an eariler commenter would be a quick fix while they try to resolve the issue for good.
 
Chancesboy
Chancesboy
1 year ago
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I thought by now someone would have come forward with a real answer for why this is happening and the affects. Where's the city????
 
Patty B.
Patty B. (patbow)
1 year ago
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Now that they are aware of this, do something to fix it.
 
jlahuis
jlahuis
1 year ago
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Also makes you think about the EMF fields the the people are exposed to. These things are thought to possibly cause some health concerns. Reminds me of the stray voltage problem that dairy farmers were having in the 80's.
 
Diana M.
Diana M. (dkmilligan)
1 year ago
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I hope they find out what's causing the problem and fix it.
 
Patrice M.
Patrice M. (patmaz)
1 year ago
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this is a horrible situation. since they train the dogs to do everything else, they should also train them to wear protective boots so that will prevent these accidents, and protect the person and the dog.
 
Vicky
Vicky (TheDoglover)
1 year ago
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no update on this??????
 
CATfan
CATfan
1 year ago
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come on Trimet figure it out. With Guide Dogs for the Blind just miles outside the Trimet service area - Portland is a haven for their training.
 
Lori M.
Lori M. (rlga)
1 year ago
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I wonder if the owners could put some kind of shoe on their dogs? There must be a way for the shock to be taken away. It may just be stadic you never know. I hope they can come up with a solution soon.
 
hamccoy
hamccoy
1 year ago
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That is horrible. I hate that the animals suffer at all. I pray they can fix it.
 
BritBabe
BritBabe
1 year ago
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How terrible for the dogs. I hope they find a way to fix it.
 
Jay M.
Jay M. (McGrabbit)
1 year ago
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Wow... thats really strange, i'd love to hear the reason behind it
 
rlhime
rlhime
1 year ago
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Hopefully there is a simple solution to this problem.
 
ejanay
ejanay
1 year ago
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How interesting! Let's hope they can find a good solution!
 
susanp
susanp
1 year ago
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What an unusual problem - I like the rubber bootie idea
 
dsargent
dsargent
1 year ago
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That is alot of money to spend for it to just be shocked right out of them. Not good for train stations.
 
smlhelps
smlhelps
1 year ago
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HOPEFULLTY THEY CAN GET IT WORKED OUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS
 
Tilly
Tilly (destroyme)
1 year ago
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i really hope they fix this problem asap. it is horrible for this to happen to any dog but its affecting guide dogs too so really needs to be solved
 
Melicat
Melicat
1 year ago
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Taxis and buses.
 
Kim R.
Kim R. (kromig)
1 year ago
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Hopefully this news article and the publicity will heighten people's awareness to this problem. I would consider avoiding that type of transportation or get something to protect my dog's paws from the shock until they come up with a solution.
 
cheryl p.
cheryl p. (cherylpatterson)
1 year ago
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I would think they would want to resolve this problem.
 
mybffmojo
mybffmojo
1 year ago
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i agree with the rubber booties idea
 
Fran S.
Fran S. (Franny)
1 year ago
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There has got to be a solution for this.
In the meantime I would suggest that the owners have their dogs wear rubber booties when it is wet outside. whenever possible,
 
bratcats
bratcats
1 year ago
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OOOHH. Poor dogs, just trying to do their jobs, and they're getting zapped.
 
sperkins91
sperkins91
1 year ago
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that is so bizarre.
 
Kathy R.
Kathy R. (GizmoCat)
1 year ago
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I heard the report of this on the news the other night. Very odd. I hope that Tri-met follows through and fixes the problem.

There is a guide dog training center fairly close to the light rail tracks in Gresham. In the downtown area, you can see guide dogs in training on a daily basis. Very cool.
 
Crystal S.
Crystal S. (jcsinner)
1 year ago
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Interesting.
 
collyn f.
collyn f. (animallover0627)
1 year ago
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i hope they fix the problem. but at the same time it is a little bit odd this problem is coming up all at once
 
AugustusMommy
AugustusMommy
1 year ago
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I agree! Kind of weird for it to come up suddenly. I just hope that we get an update on what they decide to do about this.
 
Tiffany R.
Tiffany R. (hayleysmom03)
1 year ago
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I really hope that TriMet fixes this problem and immediatley. Guide dogs do so much for the community and I hate to hear about such things happening. And I never knew that the training of guide dogs cost that much! Wowee!
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Donald1960
Donald1960
1 year ago
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Hope they fix this soon
 
Bethany H.
Bethany H. (itsmebee)
1 year ago
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Sorry to hear about the problem - I hope it's really getting fixed. Maybe the TriMet reps should stand barefoot on the wet platform just to be sure?
 
Sheila R.
Sheila R. (shei34)
1 year ago
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Problem should be taken care of.
 
Fuzz
Fuzz
1 year ago
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I don't think memory loss can occur from being "lightly zapped".
 
Margaret S.
Margaret S. (mrsschill)
1 year ago
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Well, maybe not memory loss, but is sure would startle, distract and disorient the dogs for at least a few seconds, to where they could not focus on anything else.
 
Vicky
Vicky (TheDoglover)
1 year ago
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take the bus
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Roo551778
Roo551778
1 year ago
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Poor dogs. It's sad to see that they are going through this. THey are innocent and beloved creatures and it is unfortunate to see something such as this happening to them.
 
April H.
April H. (AprilHogan)
1 year ago
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This problem definitely needs to be taken care of immediately before another animal gets hurt.
 
howthecookiecrumbles
howthecookiecrumbles
1 year ago
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you're right. these animals shouldn't need to go through this.
we need to figure out what is shocking the animals to begin with, and then find a way to make it so it won't cause any harm at all.
 
kjungb
kjungb
1 year ago
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that's crazy. i had no idea that there were any shocks on platforms for trains. fixing this problem definitely needs to be a top priority at this time.
 
PamDonald
PamDonald
1 year ago
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If it's happening there in Oregon, I wonder where else it is happening at.
 
Marilyn L.
Marilyn L. (mbritches)
1 year ago
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My dog is not a service animal but I think I could get very angery if it happened to her. She was being thrown away when I got her and after 2 years and 3 months I dont know how I would treat someone that did that to her even by accident.
 
ourstaff
ourstaff
1 year ago
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I wonder if guide dogs could be trained to sit on their owners feet when waiting in places like this. It doesn't solve the problem but it might help the dogs.
 
AbbyScott
AbbyScott
1 year ago
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I do not think a 90 pound dog would fit on anyone's feet.
 
PamDonald
PamDonald
1 year ago
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Maybe they could put down some time of mat for the dogs to sit on while waiting for the train or something which would help the dogs.
 
Lane P.
Lane P. (TailsLane)
1 year ago
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I have a service dog who is my partner and I would be outraged if he was in harm's way when it could be prevented.
 
AbbyScott
AbbyScott
1 year ago
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I'd like to hear your comment about the person who said your dog could sit on your feet.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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AbbyScott
AbbyScott
1 year ago
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More quickly than they deal with most issues, yes.
 
Beth L.
Beth L. (luvmyyorkie)
1 year ago
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I certainly hope this receives prompt attention!
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