Dog owners, beware! Something in or under the sidewalk is causing dogs to cry out in pain after walking over it. As of writing, the majority of incidents appear to have taken place on West End Avenue between 70th and 72nd streets.
An Upper West Sider named Sarah Sauvayre took to Nextdoor to report the disturbing situation at around 8:00 a.m. on February 3.
“Anyone walking a dog this morning, avoid West End Ave. around 70th and 71st St. On the west side of the street some of the apartment buildings seem to have spread something incredibly painful for dogs. My dog was crying, and as I was trying to figure out whether she had stepped on something, two other dogs walked by and started crying as well. It seems to burn their pads. There was nothing visible at all. The sidewalk looked totally clean. It happened over an hour ago and she is still in some pain even after I washed her feet and put ointment on them.”
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Pet owners in the neighborhood shared similar stories, including one on 65th and West End and another at the precise location the original poster indicated.
Another Upper West Sider told us that it happened to her French bulldog on Saturday night outside of Tip Top Shoes on 72nd between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues. So the exact boundaries of the impacted area are unclear at this point.
“I saw this happen to a black lab this morning that was carrying an umbrella in its mouth and dropped it suddenly and started dancing around as if its feet were in pain. Not on a grate. It was on the west side of West End between 71st and 72nd just north of where the sidewalk bridge ends. Right across from the street construction,” wrote another dog owner.
Some suggested that the salt used to melt the snow and ice was the culprit. But the group consensus homed in on potential electrocution caused by salt and ice corroding the electrical cables below the sidewalk.
The exact cause is currently unknown. But it was reported that Con Ed was on the scene around 6:30pm and closed off the southbound lane of West End Avenue at West 72nd Street. The energy company was still present at 9:30pm.
Incidents like these make all dog owners uneasy, particularly after the heartbreaking incident in Brooklyn earlier this week where a beloved emotional support dog was killed when she stepped on an electrified metal plate.
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Sarah told us this morning that her dog is doing well at home after a stressful and painful day that included a trip to the vet for x-rays. She mentioned that contacting both Con Ed and 311 was beneficial in resolving the issue. Her research also directed her to steer clear of areas where there is active construction. Sarah’s veterinarian advised pet owners to be aware of the possibility of their pets developing pulmonary edema as a result of these incidents.
Con Ed can be contacted here through chat, email, or phone. 311 can be reached through its website here or by dialing 311 from any phone.
Repair crews from ConEd had closed the sidewalk off on the west side of West End Ave Btwn 71-72St yesterday afternoon and were making repairs at about 3pm
There were similar warnings of electrocutions happening in other parts of the city. Definitely seems to be a ConEd thing–not something that a particular building is necessarily at fault for.
Con Ed!..So if we our a child walked ‘barefoot we would we would have a similar experience?..This is not good!..Con-ed should be responsible for costs incurred at. the veterinary ..
This same thing happened over the past week in Tribeca on Harrison Street. ConEd discovered that the salt+ice combo corroded the electrical connection between the building and the electrical line/streetlight, causing shorts. They were on the scene yesterday and finished fixing the problem this morning
Our dog, too. Walking on Amsterdam between 85th and 93rd. Limping, pads killing her. I’d have to say I think it’s the salt, TONS of it used these days in lieu of the good old shovels and scrapers. Many towns I’m aware of have BANNED using Salt on their roads as it not only hurts domesticated animals, it is also TERRIBLE for plants and the water table.
I also have noticed, the “salt” I see on the sidewalks is in several differing colors and consistencies. Some looks like gray cardboard or wood shavings.
I’m SICK of SALT in NYC! Get a pair of good gripping shoes and BITCH to the mayor!
Thanks!
This also happened to my Frenchie on Amsterdam between 89-91.
Office of the Mayor Contact Page:
https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/mayor-contact.page
Speak up or forever…
Save Dogs! Stop the SALT!
Thank you for that. I don’t even have a dog but I filed a complaint!
Nice!
Thanks
My dog too. West End at 72nd yesterday morning. I don’t think it is bad enough for a trip to the vet, but his rear paw is still irritated. Is there anything I can put on it to make it better for him?
Same thing happened to both of our dogs in Riverside Park around the Soldiers Monuments. We were walking up the steps exiting the park and both of my dogs screamed so loud and couldn’t walk anymore. We had to pick them up and clean their little paws and carried them home. I have never heard them scream like that. We thought it was the cold but they were just playing in the snow at the dog run and were totally happy and fine. As soon as we got to the memorial it happened.
We experience similar situation. ConEd found voltage on our sidewalk shed. Wrapping almost a whole block. Emergency crew arrive and after few test later they found smoking transformer vault. Avoid smoking transfer vault walking your dog. You will be fine as long you will wear a shoes. Call ConEd!