Dogs get electric shocks on Essex pavement

Kate Oates, left, said the family's Leonberger, called Bella, got an electric shock on Moulsham Street, Chelmsford

Dog owners said their pets have received electric shocks while walking along the pavement.

Kate Oates said it was as if her Leonberger was having an "epileptic fit" as they walked along Moulsham Street in Chelmsford, Essex.

Similarly Michele Ashby said her Labradoodle went "absolutely mental" in the same spot.

UK Power Networks said engineers were fixing the problem in response to the reports.

Mrs Oates said her dog, called Bella, "suddenly yelped and jumped up" when they were walking on the pavement near Siam Brasserie on Thursday.

She said she thought her dog had either broken its foot or trodden on glass.

'Sparks'

"We stopped where we were and kept checking her feet and every now and then she would just completely freak out, it was almost like she was having an epileptic fit," said Mrs Oates.

Mrs Oates said her husband Phil "actually saw sparks" coming off Bella's face, and after talking to the council, they realised it was an electric shock.

She said she posted about it on Facebook and got lots of replies from other owners who had had similar experiences.

Michele Ashby said labradoodle Bobby went "absolutely mental" in the same spot

Mrs Ashby said she had a similar experience with her dog, called Bobby, on Wednesday.

She said: "He was dancing around, jumping, almost crying but really angry - barking, trying to get to his back leg."

She said her husband Paul picked Bobby up, and the dog calmed down, and he was "absolutely fine" further along the street.

She said she posted on Facebook and "couldn't believe the number of comments" from others who had a similar experience.

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UK Power Networks said engineers were on site trying to fix the problem and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Essex Highways said the emergency repair was to a low-voltage electric cable.