Councilor Flynn to Chair Stray Voltage Working Session

City Councilor Ed Flynn has organized a working session to discuss stray voltage that’s been endangering pets.  See below:

BOSTON – Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn has scheduled a Working Session on Friday, May 18th at 1:00PM for the City, Neighborhood Services, and Veterans & Military Affairs Committee to examine the issues related to recent stray voltage incidents in the City of Boston. These incidents include the tragic death of a dog on Southampton Street, a dog shocked at a puddle by a light pole at Castle Island in South Boston in March, and two dogs shocked at a manhole near the Adams Street Bridge in Dorchester this past Christmas.

Moreover, Flynn has since learned about several incidents similar in nature that occurred over a decade ago in Boston, such as two electrocuted dogs in Chinatown back in 2005, and a dog in Charlestown in 2006. Flynn has since met with affected dog owners, officials from the City of Boston Department of Public Works, and officials from Eversource Energy.

Flynn said, “In the final analysis, we are holding this Working Session as dogs and pets are members of our family too. Speaking with those that lost their beloved pets, or nearly lost them – I just can’t imagine what they’ve gone through. My family would be devastated if that happened to us; as we all would be. It has reinforced my belief that we must bring the experts and stakeholders to the table and discuss the issues related to stray voltage in the city more in depth.”

Flynn said, “It is my hope that this Working Session will allow us to work with the relevant City of Boston departments, perhaps our partners in state government at DCR, and the utility companies and talk about the causes of these incidents, the pertinent infrastructure involved, and whether a study of older infrastructure in the city is feasible. We may also brainstorm about what short and long- term steps that may be taken to help reduce the likelihood of events like this occurring in the future.”

If residents become aware of similar incidents like this, please contact both 311 and Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3452 or [email protected].