A routine jog in Pittsburgh turned into a life-threatening ordeal this week when a woman and her dog were violently electrocuted by a live current surging through a rain-soaked city sidewalk. The shocking incident has prompted an urgent investigation and exposed serious concerns about the safety of public infrastructure.
A Terrifying Ordeal on a Rainy Afternoon
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of Smallman Street and 11th Street in the city's Strip District. Montana Mitchell was running with her dog, Denim, when the animal suddenly began howling and seizing after stepping onto the wet concrete.
"He reacted like he was being tased," Mitchell later recounted. When she rushed to help her pet, she too was overcome by the electrical current. "I was shocked through him while trying to rip off his collar and drag him to safety," she wrote in a detailed Instagram post. Witnesses described seeing both Mitchell and the dog collapse, their bodies convulsing, as the stray current travelled from a city-owned streetlight pole through the damp pavement.
Mitchell credits a passerby, whom she called a "guardian angel," with stopping to help pull Denim to safety and driving her back to her car. From there, a frantic race for medical care began for both.
Recovery and a Call for Action
Denim was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, where vets conducted extensive tests over fears of internal injuries. Mitchell also sought treatment at a hospital emergency room. Both were later released, physically stable but deeply shaken.
"Physically okay," Mitchell stated. "Emotionally, still very shaken." Denim is being closely monitored for potential fluid in his lungs but has so far shown normal test results.
Mitchell decided to share her story publicly as a stark warning. "What's terrifying is this has happened before in Pittsburgh," she wrote, referencing a similar tragedy almost two years ago to the day. In January 2024, a dog named Nikki was electrocuted and killed after stepping on a metal plate on the Murray Avenue Bridge in Squirrel Hill.
Bob Robinson-Dassel, Nikki's owner, expressed his sympathy upon learning of Mitchell's experience. "It's sad to see that another person has had to experience this same type of thing that I did," he said.
City Admits Failed Safety Pledge, Launches New Probe
City officials confirmed the light pole involved is owned by the City of Pittsburgh and was quickly taken offline. An investigation revealed the pole appeared to be missing a base component found on others nearby.
Dan Gilman, chief of staff to Mayor Corey O'Connor, announced an immediate investigation. He also made a startling admission: a promised citywide inspection of streetlights following Nikki's death in 2024 was never fully carried out.
"That never occurred," Gilman said. "So we gave a directive today to begin immediately implementing the entire plan that was issued previously, including an immediate survey of all streetlights, poles, mastheads, et cetera."
Gilman acknowledged only targeted repairs were made after the previous incident. "When you're talking about public safety issues, there's no time to wait," he stated. Crews from Allegheny City Electric, the maintenance contractor, were later seen inspecting the faulty pole.
Fire officials believe a live electrical current from the pole travelled through the wet sidewalk, effectively turning the concrete into a conductor. Mitchell noted she did not initially feel the shock due to her rubber-soled running shoes, whereas Denim's paws were in direct contact with the electrified cement.
Despite the trauma, Mitchell has returned to running, determined not to be paralysed by fear. "I can let this scare me, or I can let it inspire me to take action so no one else experiences this," she wrote. She and her partner are now pressing the city for urgent, comprehensive action to prevent a third tragedy.
