A Las Vegas couple is demanding answers after a winter storm turned tragic on Monday afternoon, when two of their pit bulls were killed after getting caught in a downed power line outside their home. Owners Laureen Mane and her husband said they heard a loud boom, lost power, then rushed outside to find six-year-old Ace and Kalea on the ground near sparking wires. Mane said she immediately called 911, but the dogs stayed tangled in the line while first responders waited for utility crews to shut off the electricity.
"I saw the wires sparking, and then I saw my two dogs on the ground, and then I called 911," Mane told News 3, explaining that Ace and Kalea had become ensnared in the fallen line. She described the pair as “part of the family” and said they have requested a necropsy along with a full investigation into how the incident was handled. The household has also launched a Facebook page to post updates and rally support as they push for more information.
Family Demands Answers And A Necropsy
Mane said what hurt almost as much as losing the dogs was how she felt they were treated as the scene unfolded. "There was no compassion, nothing, no sympathy, no empathy, everybody treated my babies like they were nobodies," she said, calling the on-site response unacceptable. She told reporters it took NV Energy nearly two hours to arrive and cut power to the downed line while Ace and Kalea remained caught. In a statement to News 3, NV Energy said it is "saddened to hear of the loss of the two beloved dogs" and that its teams are conducting a thorough investigation and will work directly with impacted customers to help with veterinary or aftercare services.
What To Do If You See A Downed Power Line
Utilities and safety organizations stress that any fallen power line should be treated as energized and extremely dangerous, even if it is not sparking. The Electrical Safety Foundation International advises staying at least 30–35 feet away from a downed line, avoiding contact with anyone or anything that has touched the wire, and calling 911 so trained responders can take over. If a person or pet is in contact with a downed line, bystanders are urged not to attempt a rescue and to wait instead for emergency crews and utility workers to de-energize the equipment.
The Mane family says it will keep pressing for a necropsy and detailed answers as NV Energy’s review moves forward. Neighbors and followers online have been weighing in on the family’s Facebook page, while the community waits to see what the investigation uncovers.
