An electric fence with no signage has allegedly electrocuted a dog on a right of way.
Dog owner Toni Phillips claimed her daughter was walking her parents’ Bichon Frise along a Yeovil pathway on February 18, when he received a “nasty electric shock” which left him “crying and shaking”.
Ms Phillips explained her daughter often walks their dog as well as their own as the Bichon Frise needs more exercise than her grandparents can give him.
She claimed the public footpath where her daughter was walking the dog runs along a field of sheep near North Coker Park.
Ms Phillips alleged the path had orange electric wires running along one side, but no signage to alert walkers it was electrified.
She said: “[The dog] was sniffing the grass and touched the fence. He just started screaming and shaking."
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She said her daughter was “beside herself” and immediately rang her.
Ms Phillips said: “I went to pick them up. We wrapped him in a blanket as he was physically shaking.”
She said she photographed the electric fence to demonstrate the apparent lack of signage.
Ms Phillips said: “It was nasty for both him and my daughter, who was really traumatised. She kept thinking somehow it was her fault for not noticing. But there were no signs anywhere.”
She claimed she subsequently reported the fence to the Somerset highways authority, for fear children could touch it.
Ms Phillips said: “My daughter was extremely upset most of the evening, believing she should have noticed it was a live fence and continually blaming herself.”
The electrified stock fencing guidance for rights of way issued by Somerset County Council states that landowners must clearly identify a fence as being electrified.
They are required to place warning signs at suitable intervals along the length of the fence.
They specify these alerts should generally be 50 to 100 metres apart.
A Somerset County Council spokesperson confirmed that an area warden is looking into the matter and “will aim to work towards a resolution as soon as possible”.
Do you have a tip or a story to tell? Email me through rebecca.cook@reachplc.com to get in touch.
