Toronto woman seeks justice after dog fatally electrocuted on Queen St.

A routine walk took a tragic turn when a Toronto woman's dog was fatally electrocuted on Queen West last week.

Irene Gallah tells blogTO that on Friday, Jan. 16, her neighbour, Atif Hasni, was walking her five-year-old dog Luna near City Hall when she stepped on a manhole cover near a hydro pole.

"She started jumping around and thrashing around, crying out in pain. And then within a minute, she fell over, legs stretched out, eyes open, and she was dead," Gallah says.

Gallah, who has already contacted lawyers, says the City and Toronto Hydro should be held accountable, though they deny any wrongdoing.

Toronto Hydro confirmed to blogTO that crews were on site the night of Jan. 16 and tested nearby Toronto Hydro equipment, finding no live voltage or safety issues.

"At this time, there is no indication that Toronto Hydro infrastructure was the source of live voltage at the location," says Toronto Hydro spokesperson Brie Davis.

To be thorough, Davis says crews returned to the site two days later, on Sunday, Jan. 18, to conduct further scans for stray voltage. Again, they did not detect any issues with the pole or any Toronto Hydro equipment. 

"It's gaslighting," Gallah says in response to the company's statement.

Luna, a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix. 

A private Facebook post from Gallah's friend, Erika Wharton-Shukster, drew concern among community members and dog owners who say they have seen or experienced similar situations across Toronto.

Group member Nixie Dey tells blogTO that a similar incident happened in Yorkville in late 2025. She recalls an event where "a few dogs" were electrocuted on the east side of Hazelton Ave. and Scollard St., allegedly caused by an electrical current running through the sewer.

Katy, who requested that her last name be withheld, tells blogTO that her two service dogs were shocked in two separate incidents after stepping on a hydro plate — once 10 years ago near Bloor and Dufferin, and again last winter at Queen and Spadina.

"I called Toronto Hydro after the zapping at Queen St. and informed them of what happened. They transferred me to three different departments, and they expressed doubt that it was one of their covers until I told them it had THES (Toronto Hydro‑Electric System) engraved on it," she says. 

While these incidents don't always get media attention, there have been cases that have been reported publicly.

In Nov. 2025, it was reported that a dog was fatally electrocuted after stepping on a sewer grate near West Harbour GO Station. Other reports of dogs in Toronto shocked or electrocuted by "faulty" power poles go back to 2016, 2008 and even earlier. 

"How is it okay that we live in a society where the sidewalks are a danger to dogs?" Gallah asks.

Toronto Hydro encourages dog owners to be alert to any potential electrical hazards while out in the city. 

"Anyone who suspects an electrical safety issue should stay clear and contact Toronto Hydro immediately by calling 416 542 8000 and pressing 1," Davis says. "Public safety is our top priority, and we take all reports of this nature very seriously."