News

A street light on W. 28th Street near where a German Shepherd was shocked by stray voltage from a service box. (WNYC/Beth Fertig)

NEW YORK, NY March 25, 2005 —Con Ed says it didn't know about a partially open street light in Chelsea, near where a dog was shocked by stray voltage. Last year a woman was killed by stray voltage, and at least three dogs have been shocked this year. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

Robin Bobbe (bah-bay) was walking her German Shepherd, Rico, on West 28th Street last month when he was shocked and fell to the ground barking in pain. She says Con Edison found stray voltage from a service box in the street. But when the crew fixed the box, she claims they tapped into a street light and left its electrical panel partially open.

ROBIN: They had just taped it shut with what looked like some black masking tape.

A Con Ed spokesman says there's no record of anyone working on the street light. But he says crews routinely use rubber and tape as temporary covers before calling the city's Transportation Department. The Department says it will inspect the light. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.