Bacteria at Brooklyn dog runs linked to pet deaths
Aaron Goodman pictured with his dog Parker. The terrier died last week after drinking contaminated water [image via]
It’s turning into the week of sick dog stories, but this story is very upsetting.
Parker died by playing in the places he loved. The 6-year-old rat terrier dog is believed to have caught Leptospirosis, a fast-moving illness transmitted through water infected by rat or mice urine. Doctors suspect that the dog contracted the disease from one of North Brooklyn’s dog runs, which have been awash in mud and stagnant puddles during June’s heavy rains.
Within days, Parker went from scampering in his Williamsburg home, to suffering from kidney failure so severe that he had to be euthanized last Sunday. No details were available about the other dog.
The city reported 17 infections among dogs in 2007, with two cases linked to Prospect Park, according to the most recent city data. Last year, officials notified Brooklyn veterinarians to watch for the disease…
‚”He wasn’t eating. His skin turned yellow,” Goodman said about Parker. ‚”They just couldn’t do anything for him.”
Dog runs in Greenpoint and Williamsburg lack fresh water and suffer from poor drainage, which owners believe could have contributed to the outbreak.
At the Tompkins Square dog run, we’re taking reports such as these very seriously, with a healthy dose of paranoia. We’re even being advised not to allow our dogs to drink out of the communal water bowls, and are trying to figure out a good way of providing constantly-running water to the dogs.
I’m very sorry to hear about Parker; I have a little terrier of my own, and I’d be heartbroken if he developed lepto. My condolences.
My dog got very, very sick a couple weeks back, and now reading this I remember him drinking out of a communal bowl at the McCarren dog run. He was vomiting and had diarrhea, and wouldn’t eat. I brought him to the hospital and they had to re-hydrate him intravenously.
I am very saddened to learn of poor Parker’s lepto and wish to offer my sympathy. Unfortunately, most dog walkers discover a danger, only sadly, when victimized. And so I wanted to inform you of StreetZaps.com. And so you are aware, I confer with Con Edison’s Stray Voltage and Public Affairs Units and contribute to Wet Nose Guide and New York Dog Chat.Please see the 3/9 dog shocking in StreetZaps Chicago’s Testimonies. Again my condolences. Thank you. Best, Blair
WHY URBAN METAL ISN’T PRECIOUS- Blair Sorrel, Founder, http://www.StreetZaps.com
Of course, you want a worry-free walk year-round, so adopt this simple strategy:
EYEBALL THE BLOCK, AVOID A SHOCK.
Take just a few seconds to survey the immediate surroundings and make your trajectory toward a non-conductive surface, ie., plastic, wood, cardboard, rather than risking any metal or electrical fixture. The lowly, free-standing garbage bag, is you and your dog’s best friend, most of the time, unless it’s snowed and salted. Then you might contemplate indoor products. Consider the safer, hardware-free RopeNGo leash and harness to help shield against a possible zapping and for greater peace of mind.
CONTACT VOLTAGE DOESN’T DISCRIMINATE BY GENDER.
Your pooch’s sex is irrelevant. True, the most gruesome scenario is that of a male dog electrocuted by its own urine. Our poster girl sidled a hydrant and limped for five days.Intuit your dog’s cues, if resistant to an area, choose an alternative route. Elude potentially live work areas or carry your canine, if necessary. Opt for indoor products such as The Pet Loo, Hammacher Schlemmer’s Indoor Restroom, or Wee-Wee Pads, if external conditions are ominous. Dog booties can leak and make your pooch even more vulnerable.
ARE YOU PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR DOG?
Any of these fixtures might be dangerous, so again, choose non-conductive where and when possible. (link to home page fixtures listed below and/or the visuals page):
View All StreetZaps’ Home Page & Safety Images
– Street & Traffic Lights can leak if damaged internally, even if the compartment is fully closed and the light is not illuminated
– While wooden blocks anchor Scaffolding or Sidewalk Sheds, be aware that sloppy wiring by a contractor and/or the use of lighting equipment which is NOT WATER-PROOFED or even suitable for outdoor usage, may still shock a passerby.
– ATM Vestibules
– Decorative Lighting
– Dog Booties may increase
the risk of a shock
- Electrical Boxes
– Fire Hydrants
– Fire Police Call Boxes
– Manhole Covers
– Muni Meters
– Phone Booths
– Service Boxes
– Street Light Boxes
– Traffic Boxes
– Work Areas
After all, why chance it when there’s a choice?
BETWEEN YOU, ME, AND THE LAMPPOST.
Tampered equipment can become pernicious so please map (Report Form) damaged fixtures and known hot spots to admonish other pedestrians and alert the utility and transportation department.