A disturbing pattern emerged on the streets of Chicago this weekend as at least two dogs were reported to have been electrically shocked while out for walks with their owners. In separate incidents in River North's 600 block of North Dearborn Street, dogs stepped on manhole covers and experienced electric shocks, with the first report coming around 11:45 a.m. Saturday. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the first affected dog was taken to a vet and is now in good condition.

In a similarly frightening event, but on the West Side near Claremont dog park, another pet owner recounted his ordeal to ABC7. Noah Price thought he had lost his dog Boris when the animal brushed against a light pole immediately after leaving the park and began seizing. "He was able to kind of come back after compressions and stuff, and he just bolted to our house straight away," Price detailed the traumatic incident.

The second dog shocked on Dearborn Street did not have its condition disclosed, Chicago police stated, while also mentioning that crews from utility company ComEd and the city had responded and declared the area safe following the incidents. Yet, the occurrence of such events has raised concerns amongst dog owners across the city regarding the safety of urban strolls with their pets.

Amid the alarm, veterinary experts have advised caution and the use of protective footwear for pets when walking, especially under wet conditions which may increase the risk of electrical currents surging through puddled pavements. "It really needs to change, because if this is happening all over the city, who's to say it's not gonna keep happening," said Price, expressing his concern for pet safety moving forward. Boris, fortunately, was stable after seven hours of observation at the vet, but worries linger over potential long-term effects from the shock.