Alarming Incident w/ Neighbor's Invisible Fence

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi, all.

One of our neighbors has an invisible fence. I was out walking Truffle when he approached it and it suddenly looked like he was having a seizure. It happened twice in quick succession. It then occurred to me that he might have been electrocuted by the fence.  

When it was happening, he looked like a Looney Tunes cartoon character - with his legs splayed in different directions. He's fine - we proceeded along on on our walk without further incident, but it was truly scary for a brief instant.  

Has anyone ever experienced this before?  It must be a malfunction, no?

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is so odd! Glad Truffles is okay

[Mari Bezanson]

Just to be safe, I would take your pup to the vet's just to insure that there is nothing else going on.  It could be a coincidence that the episodes happened near the invisible fence.  I was always under the impression that those things cannot do any damage unless the dog is wearing the collar that corresponds with the system.  Very scary I'm sure.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

All invisible fences work on low frequency radio waves.  It would be impossible for there to any electrical "leakage" even   If the underground wire were broken.  I would think it is more likely that there was a chemical on the lawn that caused this reaction.  I would also think if there was any type of "electrical" issue you would have felt something also.

I would watch Truffle to see if there is any other abnormal behavior.  Based on this incident alone I would not be running to the vet - perhaps a phone call.  I would wait and watch,

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks for letting me know - I wasn't aware of the radio waves. He wasn't on their lawn when it happened - this part of their property abuts the sidewalk where we were walking. What's so odd is that it happened a first time, and then it happened again as soon as he returned to sniff the same spot.  I know that their fence is an older one - not recently installed. Have such fences always worked on low frequency radio waves? I don't mean to ignorantly diss the invisible fence concept - but the coincidence has made me suspicious!  Perhaps it's a separate electrical-related problem on their property.  I will check in w/ the vet tomorrow as well. Truffle is doing fine.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

I agree, our electrical fence is new (no wires), but I don't see how one could cause such a thing. I'm no expert of course. I would just watch truffle and maybe start the conversation with your neighbor by asking about their invisible fence and how it works, then maybe tell then what happened with truffle and ask if they think it could be something related (so as not to sound accusatory, we all love our pets dearly). Surely if this is something caused by an invisible fence then SOMEONE has heard about it. I do hope it was the invisible fence and that truffle is perfectly healthy. :) keep us updated. Those of us with invisible fences will want to see the results. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree and said the same thing about the efence. but I doubt it was a chemical that would cause an immediate reaction like that.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Extremely curious on the how and the why......poor Truffles! Did you feel anything at all?

[Jennifer & Truffle]

No - I was holding his leash and it happened very quickly. Each spasm lasted a second or two. It sounds crazy, right? As some folks mentioned above, the scenario I laid out seems impossible and I've been online trying to find anecdotal evidence and there isn't any, which leads me to believe that I may very well have jumped to the wrong conclusion (wouldn't be the first time). But I am also not at all persuaded that he had a seizure. He never fell to the ground. Different paws hit the air at different times, almost like he was trotting over hot coals! My mom was with me and witnessed it and agreed that he acted like he had received a shock. F's theory about some unrelated electrical issue is interesting, too. I have my Sherlock Holmes cap on and am determined to get to the bottom of it!

[F, Calla & Luca]

And not all seizures result in dropping to the ground.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

True - but what continues to perplex me is that it happened twice in quick succession and the 2nd time only after he put his paws and head in the same spot again. Another coincidence, perhaps, but very odd. In any case, I'm done speculating for now. I hope to see the neighbor before we go away for spring break in a couple of days. I'll update you as soon as I learn anything. Thanks to all for the input and concern.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

There are countless stories of live wires and electrocution by touching telephone poles, manhole covers, and other strange things on the street.

I spent 15 minutes trying to find a report a Cleveland news station ran.  I want to say there were 144 violations around the city  that anyone could come into contact with just walking.  Metal plates on sidewalks, touching  poles which are not grounded.  It was crazy.  

At work, a friend and I were walking and we both could feel voltage just walking on dirt.  It just so happened we were walking by a utility area.  I thought I was crazy until I asked her, " Do you feel that?"  She did too.  We both took off laughing and running.  The next day, for the next month, that area was dug up and fenced off.  Oh my!!

Personally, I would call your utility company and tell them what happened.  Dont assume it was a neighbors electric fence.  If your dog got zapped, it is serious enough. Have them come out and check

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here it is and it starts with a woman walking her dog!!   Ironic?

New Jersey company states countless dogs are electrocuted? What? http://archive.wkyc.com/news/article/190273/45/Cleveland-City-Hall-...

Read full story here. There is also a link the first report.   I really think you should call about contact voltage.