Ingrid Pollock says a transformer blew up behind her Detroit garage during a storm, sending a wire onto her property and electrifying her fence. She says the line remained live for roughly 36 hours and that her dog, Draco, was killed after coming into contact with the fence.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the storm that knocked out the transformer hit nearly two weeks before the outlet's report published, part of a stretch of torrential rains and tornadoes that swept through southeast Michigan. Pollock told the station she and multiple family members called DTE to get someone out to remove the wire, but the hours dragged on with the hazard still sitting in her yard.
A Chance Encounter on Joy Road
FOX 2 reported that the wire was removed after Pollock's son encountered DTE crews working on Joy Road and led them back to the house. Workers then cleared the wire from the property, according to the station.
Pollock says the electrified fence had already killed Draco by the time the wire was removed. She told FOX 2 that the wire had remained on the property for about 36 hours.
What to do with a downed line
For an immediate electrical hazard, DTE Energy's safety guidance says residents should assume every downed line is energized, stay at least 25 feet away and call 911 in an emergency; residents can also report a power-line problem through DTE's outage center. The available guidance identifies 911 and DTE as the immediate reporting channels, rather than assigning that response to the Michigan Public Service Commission. The Michigan Public Service Commission requires utilities to provide monthly reliability data by circuit, ZIP code and census tract beginning with January 2023, with the data available upon request. The commission also directs utilities to file summary reports within 14 days after major interruptions, including outage totals, the number of downed wires and outside crews used. Those requirements describe the state's oversight and reporting framework; the supplied records do not establish whether DTE or the commission published an event-specific report for the storm connected to Pollock's account.
DTE's Response and Safety Guidance
DTE told FOX 2 it was saddened to hear about Draco's death and reiterated safety guidance for residents dealing with storm damage.
DTE advised people to treat every downed line as energized, stay at least 25 feet away from any downed wire and anything it may be touching, and keep children and pets indoors and away from affected areas until crews complete repairs.
