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Guide Dog Users of Canada advises Toronto handlers to be aware that there is a known electric shock hazard with certain metal sidewalk plates that they should be aware of. Toronto Hydro has acknowledged that some metal covers may be electrified by leaked current from nearby equipment. Numerous pets and at least one child has been shocked, and a guide dog stepping on one of these plates may be shocked as well.

The end result may not be fatal, but the psychological effects of the experience could negatively impact on your dog’s work. GDUC has written a letter to Toronto Hydro (and the Toronto Star) in response to the January 30, 2009 article about the issue.

(See our full submission below.)

Letter to Toronto Hydro

I am writing on behalf of Guide Dog Users of Canada/Utilisateurs de chiens-guides du Canada, a consumer organization representing blind and partially sighted handlers of guide dogs, in response to the article which appeared on January 30, 2009 in The Toronto Star regarding a child having received an electric shock from a metallic sidewalk ground plate. In particular, we would like to express our concern with President and CEO David O’Brien’s recommendation that those concerned with the potential safety hazard posed by the ground plates simply avoid stepping on them if they see them.

For the majority of guide dog handlers, “seeing” these plates is simply not an option, and thus avoiding them even less so. We are aware that there have been ongoing reports of pets having receiving electric shocks from these plates, and it is our understanding that Toronto Hydro has already launched a widespread operation to replace the covers with non-conductive fiberglass (e.g. the January 24, 2009 article by Don Peat in the Toronto Sun, attached). However, we would like to draw the attention of Mr. O’Brien (and the general public) to the fact that for a blind guide dog handler, avoiding these risks may not be possible. Furthermore, the work of a guide dog can be significantly impaired (if not ended) from the experience of an electric shock, as they may become fearful of walking on sidewalks or near such plates.

Similar problems sometimes arise with surface-level light rail tracks. For example, in 2003 (and again in 2008), the light rail tracks in Portland, OR were reported to be shocking numerous guide dogs as they crossed over, due to errant voltage leaking onto the tracks. While the shock might not be lethal, the psychological effects can be traumatizing and, quite possibly, lead to the early retirement of what, by many accounts, is a $30,000 to $50,000 dog. (See attachments.)

We applaud Toronto Hydro’s efforts to resolve the problem, but would like to point out that not everyone is able to avoid this hazard as simply as is implied in the original article. These metal plates may pose a significant hazard to guide dogs and guide dog handlers, even if they are in the process of being replaced.