Life 2-year-old mauled to death by wild dogs after falling into Pittsburgh Zoo exhibit - Page 5

Deberg_1990 · 11-05-2012, 09:18 AM

Wow...horrible. RIP

A 2-year-old boy was mauled to death today after falling into the African painted dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

Pittsburgh police Major Crimes Lt. Kevin Kraus said the boy's 34-year-old mother placed the child in a standing position on a wooden railing overlooking the enclosure.

"Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell down off the railing into the actual pit and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs," Lt. Kraus said.

The incident occurred at 11:48 a.m. at the Highland Park complex, according to an emergency dispatch supervisor. The zoo was shut down within a half-hour of the incident and will remain closed indefinitely.

Zoo President and Chief Executive Officer Barbara Baker said at a news conference shortly after the incident that the child fell over the wooden railing and off of a mesh barrier where the painted dogs were on display. A zoo spokeswoman and police said the wooden railing is 4 feet in height and the lower mesh barrier is 11 feet 4 inches above the open exhibit space.

Lt. Kraus said zoo personnel responded within minutes. The first personnel on scene were able to lure seven of the dogs away from the victim and into a secure and separated area. A second set of personnel began "throwing objects and some other techniques that they use" to secure three more dogs.

He said the final dog, which was acting very aggressively toward the victim and zoo personnel, was shot multiple times by two Pittsburgh police officers and died.

Lt. Kraus said none of the people who observed the child fall into the enclosure made an attempt to go after him. The news release from zoo officials noted that keepers attempted to enter the yard but were unable to reach the child.

One ineffective technique used by zoo personnel to lure the animals away from the child was to fire "dummy tranquilizer rounds," Lt. Kraus said.

Information released from the zoo indicated that "unfortunately, the dogs were in pack mentality and not responding."

The child was pronounced dead at the scene 12 p.m.

The incident is under investigation by police and the zoo. Lt. Kraus said it would be inappropriate to speculate on potential charges at this time and the bureau will continue to investigate to determine if anything could have been prevented.

Police said the boy and his mother are from Pleasant Hills and were visiting the zoo with relatives, an adult and another child, at the time of the incident.

Ms. Cinti described a horrifying scene that lasted a little more than 5 minutes but seemed like hours.

"We were on our way to the polar bear exhibit when we heard the most horrible piercing screams. ... Someone was begging for help, asking someone to do something," she said. The couple ran back in the direction they came from, passing the bear exhibits. The screams continued.

As they reached the painted dog exhibit, she saw a small crowd of distressed onlookers. "One woman with a baby in the stroller was screaming that someone needed to do something," Ms. Cinti said. She said she could see the little boy's apparently lifeless body lying on the hill inside the exhibit. "There were three dogs: one at his head, one on the left side of his neck and another one down by his leg. ... A [zoo employee] got there and hopped over a fence with a rake and he was banging ... trying to distract the dogs but they wouldn't move," she said.

Ms. Cinti, a student at Community College of Allegheny County, tracked the time frame with her cell phone, saying she made a call at 11:49 a.m. when she and her boyfriend first headed toward the commotion. She said her cell phone shows that the call was ended five minutes and five seconds later, when a half-dozen zoo employees arrived and dispersed the crowd.

Bart DePasquale, who was at the zoo today with his two children for a birthday party, was near the tiger exhibit when he heard screams coming from the direction of the African painted dogs exhibit.

"People were yelling 'Get away,' and 'Stay away,' and it wasn't just one person, it was an entire group of people," said Mr. DePasquale, 29, of Fox Chapel. "The screams sounded heavily distressed and the people were using profanity. They were shouting to zoo employees."

Mr. DePasquale and Ms. Cinti said they were told to go inside the nearest buildings where they were kept there for about a half hour.

"We were locked down in the building and told to stay inside. ... We thought it was a problem with one of the animals that got loose. Then we were told it was an incident with the wild dogs and that a child had been hurt."

When patrons were told the zoo was closed and they needed to leave, Mr. DePasquale said, "On the way out, I saw a mother who was distressed and crying and other people who couldn't even talk about it. ... People and anyone who had been close were almost in tears, were walking out glassy-eyed. That's when multiple people told me the dogs attacked a young child."

Ms. Baker said the zoo initially declared a "code blue," meaning an accident involving a human had occurred. That was followed with a "code red," meaning that there was a serious human emergency.

Ms. Baker said no decision has been made about the future of the exhibit.

The African painted dog exhibit debuted after the October 2009 birth of the pups. A surrogate mutt was drafted into service for the nine pups after their natural mother died of a ruptured uterus. In the spring of this year, nine of the 11 painted dogs escaped a section of their enclosure causing a brief shutdown of the zoo.

Ms. Baker said at that time on May 5 that the dogs got into a 1.5-acre "backup yard" not visible to the public, but the dogs were not out of their exhibit.

African painted dogs are an endangered species.

In September, the zoo announced that it had again been accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums after a review of its animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety.

AZA is a nonprofit organization with a team of professionals that inspect and review each zoo or aquarium seeking accreditation. Currently 224 facilities have been recognized and approved by the organization, including eight in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh zoo has been recognized by AZA since 1986.The accreditation commission evaluates every zoo and aquarium to determine if they meet accepted standards for safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, animal management and care, health and nutrition, veterinary programs, involvement in conservation and research and education programs.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz2BMUJWMyp

**Donger** · 11-05-2012, 11:35 AM

That bites.

Lono · 11-05-2012, 11:35 AM

No doubt...if you're any kind of parent at all you jump in and try and save your kid. The second they went in, id be behind them.

Imon Yourside · 11-05-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Maybe I misunderstood --- "You don't let your kid outlive you if you have a say in it"
Wouldn't your kin typically outlive you?

That is what I was referring to, yes.

**QuikSsurfer** · 11-05-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lono

No doubt...if you're any kind of parent at all you jump in and try and save your kid. The second they went in, id be behind them.

I understand...
but what about into a lions den?

Imon Yourside · 11-05-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dog

I have two grown children and three grandchildren and I'm fairly certain you're an idiot.

How did a two year old get into your pool? Sounds like some solid parenting was in play there.

The cover had just been removed and my Aged Mother was out back with him, I was in the house and heard screaming and ran outside to see him in the water. I jumped in immedietly and pulled him out. Oh and I almost forgot you're a cowardly pussy.

Sorter · 11-05-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aturnis

**** the dog.

I can't blame a wild animal for doing what a wild animal does.

Sorter · 11-05-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

So...uh...that was probably a pretty short fight. I have a hard time faulting anyone but the mother here as I can't imagine that kid was alive for more than a few seconds after it hit the ground.

If the child survived the initial 14+ foot fall.

Additionally, Painted Dogs have quite an aggressive demeanor when it comes to eating/hunting.

Sorter · 11-05-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankotank

I'm with Aturnis on this one. I'd have to jump in....I'd have to. they aren't the biggest dogs. I know a pack of them could take a man....but maybe a bigger target, a man not a boy, would have changed things. maybe a full grown man could have kicked the shit out of a few of them and drove them off. dude....if it was your kid....you'd jump in. it's just like that.

It is admirable and while I don't have children, I have no idea what I would do.

The reality is, a grown man doesn't stand a chance against 4 Painted Dogs in attack mode, much less 11.

vailpass · 11-05-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

I understand...
but what about into a lions den?

The answer is yes no matter what. As a parent you don't have a choice.

**Saulbadguy** · 11-05-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

The answer is yes no matter what. As a parent you don't have a choice.

falls in to a volcano, molten lava

or out the window of a 100 story building

**QuikSsurfer** · 11-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

The answer is yes no matter what. As a parent you don't have a choice.

Clearly I don't have children...
It just seems like I'd rather not leap to a certain death - while leaving my wife and other children, possibly. I mean, you're essentially talking about suicide.

Imon Yourside · 11-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

falls in to a volcano, molten lava

or out the window of a 100 story building

Ya those are a little different, just a tad.

kcpasco · 11-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Those dogs would rip you apart. I don't care how much of a badass you think you are you aren't winning that fight.

The mother should have been tossed in though.

kcpasco · 11-05-2012, 11:56 AM

Those dogs would rip you apart. I don't care how much of a badass you think you are you aren't winning that fight.

The mother should have been tossed in though.

Imon Yourside · 11-05-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Clearly I don't have children...
It just seems like I'd rather not leap to a certain death - while leaving my wife and other children, possibly. I mean, you're essentially talking about suicide.

Not necessarily, sounds like the trainer was there. The situation would have certainly changed.

11-05-2012, 09:18 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	2-year-old mauled to death by wild dogs after falling into Pittsburgh Zoo exhibit Wow...horrible. RIP A 2-year-old boy was mauled to death today after falling into the African painted dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Pittsburgh police Major Crimes Lt. Kevin Kraus said the boy's 34-year-old mother placed the child in a standing position on a wooden railing overlooking the enclosure. "Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell down off the railing into the actual pit and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs," Lt. Kraus said. The incident occurred at 11:48 a.m. at the Highland Park complex, according to an emergency dispatch supervisor. The zoo was shut down within a half-hour of the incident and will remain closed indefinitely. Zoo President and Chief Executive Officer Barbara Baker said at a news conference shortly after the incident that the child fell over the wooden railing and off of a mesh barrier where the painted dogs were on display. A zoo spokeswoman and police said the wooden railing is 4 feet in height and the lower mesh barrier is 11 feet 4 inches above the open exhibit space. Lt. Kraus said zoo personnel responded within minutes. The first personnel on scene were able to lure seven of the dogs away from the victim and into a secure and separated area. A second set of personnel began "throwing objects and some other techniques that they use" to secure three more dogs. He said the final dog, which was acting very aggressively toward the victim and zoo personnel, was shot multiple times by two Pittsburgh police officers and died. Lt. Kraus said none of the people who observed the child fall into the enclosure made an attempt to go after him. The news release from zoo officials noted that keepers attempted to enter the yard but were unable to reach the child. One ineffective technique used by zoo personnel to lure the animals away from the child was to fire "dummy tranquilizer rounds," Lt. Kraus said. Information released from the zoo indicated that "unfortunately, the dogs were in pack mentality and not responding." The child was pronounced dead at the scene 12 p.m. The incident is under investigation by police and the zoo. Lt. Kraus said it would be inappropriate to speculate on potential charges at this time and the bureau will continue to investigate to determine if anything could have been prevented. Police said the boy and his mother are from Pleasant Hills and were visiting the zoo with relatives, an adult and another child, at the time of the incident. Ms. Cinti described a horrifying scene that lasted a little more than 5 minutes but seemed like hours. "We were on our way to the polar bear exhibit when we heard the most horrible piercing screams. ... Someone was begging for help, asking someone to do something," she said. The couple ran back in the direction they came from, passing the bear exhibits. The screams continued. As they reached the painted dog exhibit, she saw a small crowd of distressed onlookers. "One woman with a baby in the stroller was screaming that someone needed to do something," Ms. Cinti said. She said she could see the little boy's apparently lifeless body lying on the hill inside the exhibit. "There were three dogs: one at his head, one on the left side of his neck and another one down by his leg. ... A [zoo employee] got there and hopped over a fence with a rake and he was banging ... trying to distract the dogs but they wouldn't move," she said. Ms. Cinti, a student at Community College of Allegheny County, tracked the time frame with her cell phone, saying she made a call at 11:49 a.m. when she and her boyfriend first headed toward the commotion. She said her cell phone shows that the call was ended five minutes and five seconds later, when a half-dozen zoo employees arrived and dispersed the crowd. Bart DePasquale, who was at the zoo today with his two children for a birthday party, was near the tiger exhibit when he heard screams coming from the direction of the African painted dogs exhibit. "People were yelling 'Get away,' and 'Stay away,' and it wasn't just one person, it was an entire group of people," said Mr. DePasquale, 29, of Fox Chapel. "The screams sounded heavily distressed and the people were using profanity. They were shouting to zoo employees." Mr. DePasquale and Ms. Cinti said they were told to go inside the nearest buildings where they were kept there for about a half hour. "We were locked down in the building and told to stay inside. ... We thought it was a problem with one of the animals that got loose. Then we were told it was an incident with the wild dogs and that a child had been hurt." When patrons were told the zoo was closed and they needed to leave, Mr. DePasquale said, "On the way out, I saw a mother who was distressed and crying and other people who couldn't even talk about it. ... People and anyone who had been close were almost in tears, were walking out glassy-eyed. That's when multiple people told me the dogs attacked a young child." Ms. Baker said the zoo initially declared a "code blue," meaning an accident involving a human had occurred. That was followed with a "code red," meaning that there was a serious human emergency. Ms. Baker said no decision has been made about the future of the exhibit. The African painted dog exhibit debuted after the October 2009 birth of the pups. A surrogate mutt was drafted into service for the nine pups after their natural mother died of a ruptured uterus. In the spring of this year, nine of the 11 painted dogs escaped a section of their enclosure causing a brief shutdown of the zoo. Ms. Baker said at that time on May 5 that the dogs got into a 1.5-acre "backup yard" not visible to the public, but the dogs were not out of their exhibit. African painted dogs are an endangered species. In September, the zoo announced that it had again been accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums after a review of its animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. AZA is a nonprofit organization with a team of professionals that inspect and review each zoo or aquarium seeking accreditation. Currently 224 facilities have been recognized and approved by the organization, including eight in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh zoo has been recognized by AZA since 1986.The accreditation commission evaluates every zoo and aquarium to determine if they meet accepted standards for safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, animal management and care, health and nutrition, veterinary programs, involvement in conservation and research and education programs. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz2BMUJWMyp
Posts: 66,914

11-05-2012, 11:35 AM	#61
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10439900 VARSITY	That bites. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,541

11-05-2012, 11:35 AM	#62
Lono Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mo Casino cash: $9933836	No doubt...if you're any kind of parent at all you jump in and try and save your kid. The second they went in, id be behind them.
Posts: 811

11-05-2012, 11:56 AM	#73
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7743463	Those dogs would rip you apart. I don't care how much of a badass you think you are you aren't winning that fight. The mother should have been tossed in though.
Posts: 15,476

11-05-2012, 11:56 AM	#74
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $7743463	Those dogs would rip you apart. I don't care how much of a badass you think you are you aren't winning that fight. The mother should have been tossed in though.
Posts: 15,476