San Vicente Ferrer Street endured a tragic day yesterday due to the death of a small dog while out for a walk with its owner over the manhole covers maintained by Endesa. This unfortunate incident, which has no known similar precedents, has prompted the mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, to call for an urgent evaluation from the electricity company responsible for the upkeep of the electrical networks across the municipality. He has also demanded that an explanation be provided to the public regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident.
In response, Endesa expressed its astonishment at the comments made by the Chicharrero councillor and stated that an investigation into the facts is underway. “We have no proof that the animal’s death was a result of electrocution. An autopsy will be crucial in clarifying the situation,” the company stated.
“It is true that there is a potential for electrical diversion due to rainfall and the activity of rodents that sometimes chew through insulation materials, but it is also possible that the dog’s death resulted from other factors that have not yet been ruled out,” Endesa added.
In this regard, the company clarified that upon becoming aware of the incident, a technical team was dispatched to the site to enhance the insulation of the manholes and review all electrical details. The manhole tubes are sealed to limit access by rodents as much as possible.
Consequently, Endesa conveyed a message of reassurance to the community, asserting that such situations do not affect people due to the protection offered by appropriate footwear. “This is an extraordinary incident, the only one we are aware of in 40 years, so we must proceed cautiously and gather all technical information before determining cause and effect. Regardless, Endesa deeply regrets the death of the dog,” the company noted.
Furthermore, the mayor urged the electricity company to provide “an immediate solution to this incident, which appears to be due to inadequate maintenance of the facilities located beneath our city.” Bermúdez emphasised the importance of this matter: “The safety of our residents and their pets, as in this case, takes precedence over any other argument that Endesa may present, which is why we insist on an immediate evaluation of the mentioned facilities.”
Meanwhile, the Animal Welfare Councillor, Carlos Tarife, expressed his sorrow regarding the event and requested immediate explanations from Endesa. The district councillor, Purificación Dávila, also added her condolences, demanding clarity on responsibilities concerning this incident.
The sequence of events began yesterday with a call to 092 reporting the disappearance of a dog on San Vicente Ferrer Street, which had passed over an Endesa cover situated on the pavement. Upon receiving this information, the local Police contacted Cetra-Cecopal to identify a representative from the electricity company, report the situation, and request the presence of technical personnel on site. The first officers to arrive confirmed the dog’s death and observed smoke emanating from the manhole cover.
Following protocol, the dog’s owner and several witnesses were identified. Shortly thereafter, personnel from the electricity company arrived to manage the situation, marking off the area. The City Council reiterated that steps are being taken to investigate the incident.
The capital City Council provides legal support to the owner
The mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, spoke with the owner of the deceased dog while she was near the electric manhole on San Vicente Ferrer Street. He expressed his sorrow over the incident and assured her that he would seek all necessary explanations from Endesa, even offering her legal counsel. Bermúdez recalled the existence of an Animal Welfare ordinance, stating, “Pets have their rights in our city, and it is absolutely unacceptable for a dog to die as a result of apparent negligence in maintaining the electrical networks that run beneath the municipality.”
