Resident describes dog’s electrocution behind high school; council moves to consider donation to New Hampshire SPCA

Deborah Van Patton told the Portsmouth City Council on April 6 that her dog, Frankie, died after being exposed to an unknown electrical source behind Portsmouth High School on Feb. 28 and asked the city to consider a memorial donation to the New Hampshire SPCA.

“My dog died and possibly saved some human beings,” Van Patton said, recounting emergency dispatch and fire department notes that responders found 68 volts in groundwater at the scene. She said she received no outreach from city officials after the incident and asked the council for a timeline and a contact for follow-up.

Several residents spoke in support, calling Frankie a local companion and urging the city to acknowledge the incident. Caroline Turk, who said her dog was nearby during the same event, asked whether the hazard has been fixed so it cannot injure others.

Mayor McCran apologized to Van Patton, saying the matter had been routed to the city’s risk pool (Primex) and that more thorough follow-up should have happened. Councilor Taber moved to suspend the rules and propose a resolution asking the city to make a donation to the New Hampshire SPCA in Frankie’s memory; the motion passed and council members said they would place a formal agenda item and discussion at a future meeting to determine an amount and process.

The council indicated a preference to put the item on the April 20 agenda so there can be documentation and fuller discussion; staff and council members said they would coordinate with Van Patton about next steps. The motion did not commit city funds tonight but established the council’s intent to consider a memorial gift.

The council did not record a definitive dollar amount at the meeting; any donation and related documentation will appear on the public agenda when the item returns.