I just heard on the news that a local farmer has cows dying of electrocution on his farm. Apparently there are "stray" currents running through his property (Earth) and putting his cows down. If this is the case, how is it so? I understand Earth to be zero voltage reference for all things electrical. Am I wrong in thinking this? I realise that ground is part of a circuit going back to the generating station but it is so widespread, how can a concentrated amount be killing his cows? Do they have no resistance? I am perplexed in Ontario, Canada?