Apologies to animal lovers but info needed

16 years ago

I have a telephone pole in my backyard with one of those cylindrical contraptions put there by the local electric company (PECO). A few times a bird has touched something up there and gotten shocked to death. (When she was 4-5 my oldest came in and said 'Mommy, there's a bird in the yard sleeping with his eyes open!'). Good ol' Dad has to take care ot these 'internments'.

About 10 days ago a squirrel met the same unfortunate demise but has a good grip on one of the wires up there. He;s been hanging upside down ever since. All day yesterday we had 40 mph winds and he didn't budge, other than his tail fluttering in the breeze.

I wonder if I'll have a skeleton up there by next year. Ever happen to you? Did it eventually come down? BTW, there's no way PECO will come out for something like this.

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Comments (8)

msmarion
16 years ago
As much as I dispise tree rats that's just a shame. I'd try calling PECO and tell them that your children are very upset over the poor squirrel. It just might help.
kickypants
16 years ago
A crow will probably come and take care of it for you. Poor little guy!
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adellabedella_usa
16 years ago
I'd call and talk to them so they can check it out. Something sounds wrong. I don't understand electricity that well. I don't think the animals should be getting electrocuted unless they are touching two wires at once or there is some other grounding issue. It shouldn't be happening on a routine basis.
lilliepad
16 years ago
I have no answer to your problem but I would think the electric company might come and remove it for you.
adellabedella-One wire and 2 feet/hands (in this case 4 feet) is all it takes to electrocute! That is why the guys that work on the lines wear rubber gloves.My DH was a lineman for many years.I asked him just to be sure.LOL
Lindsey_CA
16 years ago
Could you call your local Health Department (Public Health and Safety type of agency) to come out and get it, because a decaying animal might cause some health issues?
LorifromUtah
16 years ago
Out here it's raccoons that cause trouble on the lines.
Not only do their bodies hang up on the lines they take the power out.

Our power company puts a cage where the wires pass by the poles because the problem is so widespread. It go some when the power was off we'd call and when learning our locations they'd say 'is the coon on the ground or hanging on the wire?'

I'm sorry your daughter has to see this.
Growing up is hard enough as it is.

Lori
softball_80
Original Author
16 years ago
I called PECO this morning.

Surprisingly, the person I spoke to, Donna, was very sympathetic and took down all the pertinent information. She explained that while they wouldn't be out today (understandable, an ice storm is forcast for this afternoon) she would submit it as an electrical problem.

Based on dealings I've had with this company in the past, this is not at all how I thought my request would be received. Now to see how well they follow up.

I may not have been too clear on the age of my kids. As I said earlier my oldest was 4-5 when the first bird was killed but she's 24 now & engaged to be married 10/10.
grammahony
16 years ago
Glad you got an answer. I hope they come out and fix this problem. So it's been going on for 20 years? Could be your grandkids seeing it, for all they know.
Leslie

Apologies to animal lovers but info needed

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Apologies to animal lovers but info needed

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msmarion

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