Watch Out for Electrified Scaffolding

A reader wants to remind dog owners—and everyone else— to be aware that their pups could be electrocuted not just by lamp posts and manhole covers but by construction scaffolding as well.

She writes, "My dog was shocked/electrocuted last night (she is okay) but it wasn't because of ConEd...It was because of shoddy scaffolding on Bedford Avenue.... I now know that she probably wasn't the only dog that was shocked...a friend reports that his dog freaked out at the same site..."

VALENCIA, a brussels griffon, let out a loud yelp and then her little body just shock for a few minutes. I had no idea what happened the first time. It was pretty scary but once we got home she seemed fine.

When it happened a second time this evening at the same place (201 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg next to UVA), I knew something was up. I assume it was some type of shock but didn't really know.

I called 311 to report dangerous scaffolding. They then connected me with 911 who then put me in touch with the FDNY. I thought this might have been a little too dramatic especially when they told me to wait for FDNY at the site and two ladder trucks pulled up.

As always, the Firefighters arrived being all cool and calm. They took out this little device that said that all the poles in scaffolding were LIVE. It was a good thing I called.

This site is now safe and hopefully it is the freaky type of thing that only happens once (or at one site)...but if your dog yelps and then shakes for more than a few seconds, report it by calling 311.

Curbed says the location is at Bedford and N 6th, not too far from the Endless Summer Taco truck. In 2006, an 80-pound dog died after being shocked by an electrified sidewalk and in 2007, a Post reporter's 100-pound Mastiff was fatally shocked by a lamp post. During winter months, the risk of electrocution increases because the slushy water and salt (used to melt away the snow) together become both a corrosive agent and an effective conductor of electricity. Also, consider getting your dogs rubber-soled booties!