Boy Falls into African Painted Dog Exhibit at Piitsburgh Zoo Dies

[Sonya610]

The dogs likely aren't feeling so happy tonight either. They had to watch one of their own pack members get gunned down by the creatures that keep them penned in and stare at them all day.

Apparently these painted dogs have very close and gentle relationships within their pack -- it is safe to say this was traumatic for them and they probably miss their dead companion dog.

• It has been recorded that an adult dog will look for days for a lost pup or juvenile, calling out in a special vocalization and listening for a reply to bring the lost dog back to the pack.

• Caring for other pack members starts early in a wild dog's life—a researcher once observed a 6-week-old pup regurgitating meat for a hungry littermate! These social animals give special “privileges” to the young, the old and the infirm in the pack.

http://zookeepersjournal.com/wiki/index.php?title=African_Wild_Dog

 

[HMSHood]

Putting a child on top of rails is dangerous as one can lose their grip easily. These painted dogs have a better kill rate than lions and have powerful bites. They make lions look wimpy. Sometimes a small predator is more dangerous than a large predator. Painted dogs have some noble traits that humans nowadays lack.

[video=youtube;82kQTkWnKwg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82kQTkWnKwg[/video]

 

[legalmania]

I don't know why they don't have an area made of plexiglass so the little ones can see. It's not that expensive or hard to do. They can't climb it. I've never heard of this breed but they sound very violent. I feel so bad for the mother she will never be able to forgive herself. I read something about a lawsuit. People who sue after a tragedy are not suing for the money it's to send a message to not let this happen again, and it usually works.

 

[Sonya610]

I don't know why they don't have an area made of plexiglass so the little ones can see. It's not that expensive or hard to do. They can't climb it. I've never heard of this breed but they sound very violent. I feel so bad for the mother she will never be able to forgive herself. I read something about a lawsuit. People who sue after a tragedy are not suing for the money it's to send a message to not let this happen again, and it usually works.

From what I saw it was a boardwalk type walkway over the enclosure that was ALL plexiglass lined except the end point.

If this woman files a lawsuit I think she should be charged with child endangerment AND sued by the zoo for irresponsible behavior that lead to the death of an endangered species in their care.

Though maybe 7' high plexiglass walls around all zoo animal enclosures is the only way to go otherwise more endangered species will be destroyed in zoos simply because the humans have no common sense and can't be kept out of their enclosures.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

So LE say the little boy lost his balance and fell...Is it just me or does that sound like Mom wasn't holding him at all? Because I feel like if she was, and he wiggled from her arms, it would be worded differently:

Police said the child lost his balance after his mother lifted him in a standing position onto the 4-foot-high wooden railing of an elevated, gazebolike structure that overlooks the enclosure.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...o-fell-into-zoo-exhibit-660660/#ixzz2BOeF9lRa

 

[Nova]

Another thing is that they should have shot all those dogs to try and get to him. I don't care that they are endangered animals, a child's life is more important then an animals life.

That wasn't even necessary. All but three of the dogs backed away from the child when they were called by zoo personnel.

But the toddler was already dead before anyone could have arrived with enough guns and ammo to kill ten dogs. With a child that small, it probably only took one or two bites to kill him.

 

[Nova]

FWIW, painted dogs and hyena share coloring because it makes for good camouflage on the savannah. But hyena are NOT canines of any sort. They share some of the behaviors of dogs, but actually are genetically closer to cats. Nonetheless, they aren't cats either, though there again, hyenas share some behavioral traits with felines.

Back to Pittsburgh Zoo (a lovely, up-to-date and generally safe zoo, in my experience), almost any groups of canines would have seen the invasion of a strange human being as a threat to be met with force. It isn't reasonable to expect wild animals to understand that the intruder was just an infant and no threat to the pack.

 

[MissExec]

:jail:
It's totally the mother's fault for dangling her adorable son over the railing. She should be charged with involuntary manslaughter because her reckless actions caused danger to her child and caused his death. When precious lives are lost due to reckless acts of others, it's classified as a homicide and should be dealt with accordingly by local law enforcement. Involuntary manslaughter is the lowest possible charge to be charged with when you are liable for the death of another. Sentencing may be probation for 1-5 years; but criminal prosecution must commence when reckless actions like dangling a child over a railing is involved.

From an emotional point of view and as a mother, I can't even believe what the parents are going through. More important, however, is what the BOY went through!!! He trusted his mother and didn't have a chance to survive very didn't the parents jump after him in attempts to protect him?? A tiger or bear mom manage to gain tremendous strength if their cubs are in danger and need protection. Mom and Dad at the very least should have one the same rather than screaming for someone "to do something".

These vicious animals are used to the only intruding items to belong to the food chain. They merely did what can be expected of them. It's not the fault of the Zoo that an irresponsible mother dangles her child over a railing.

Michael Jackson dangled his youngest son over a balcony, but the child didn't fall nor suffered injuries at any kind. He was lucky

 

[legalmania]

That wasn't even necessary. All but three of the dogs backed away from the child when they were called by zoo personnel.

But the toddler was already dead before anyone could have arrived with enough guns and ammo to kill ten dogs. With a child that small, it probably only took one or two bites to kill him.

I agree with you Nova, these animals are brought here from their natural habitat, so people can see something that most of us would never see. The zoos are just trying to educate the public. These animals are on this Earth for a purpose. If we let everything that is dangerous become extinct, the circle of life would cease to exist. Accidents happen, these are wild animals they don't know right from wrong. By the way humans are the most dangerous of all animals, should we cease to exist?

 

[Nova]

From the account of the child "losing his balance", I picture the mother propping the child up to stand on the railing so the kid could see. Very, VERY unwise.

But isn't publicizing this event sufficient to educate the public? Why must we use court time and resources to prosecute the mother?

(I'm not saying somebody else won't do something just as unwise. I'm saying that those who will heed the lesson have the info they need; the others aren't going to be better motivated by a criminal prosecution.)

 

[MissExec]

A little confused...Is the zoo going to give them to another zoo?

I will blow if these dogs lose their lives because of some incompetent idiot.

Animals that taste human blood may pursue other tasty treats with human blood. Sort of if a crocodile or alligator in Florida eat the hand of someone whose feeding them, then they have to kill the alligator AND prosecute the hand-less unfortunate feeder :jail:

 

[Nova]

I don't believe there's any plan to destroy the surviving painted dogs.

I think the zoo is trying to decide whether keeping them on display would be in bad taste after this incident. The 30-day quarantine gives everyone a chance to calm down and a chance for the zoo to talk to the parents and decide the best course of action.

I doubt the zoo wants to draw crowds of the ghoulish coming just to see where the "baby" was killed. The Pittsburgh Zoo presents a very family-friendly image. (I've been there many times and both my niece and nephew did stints of summer camp at the zoo, including sleepovers.)

 

[Blue_Dolphin308]

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...-pittsburgh-zoo-exhibit-660606/#ixzz2BITFSw88

Says he was mauled to death.

Doesn't matter if he died by the fall or by the dogs the people standing around watching wouldn't have known either way and should have done something.

What do you suggest that people do? Put themselves in danger? There was nothing that could have been done once the child fell in it was pretty much game over. At least that was what the zoo vet said.

 

[Linda7NJ]

I don't believe there's any plan to destroy the surviving painted dogs.

I think the zoo is trying to decide whether keeping them on display would be in bad taste after this incident. The 30-day quarantine gives everyone a chance to calm down and a chance for the zoo to talk to the parents and decide the best course of action.

I doubt the zoo wants to draw crowds of the ghoulish coming just to see where the "baby" was killed. The Pittsburgh Zoo presents a very family-friendly image. (I've been there many times and both my niece and nephew did stints of summer camp at the zoo, including sleepovers.)

I think they need a plaque memorizing the incident! So adults and children alike learn how to behave and the consequences of being stupid.

How sad and tragic. I feel horrible for that baby and everyone that witnessed it. I also feel really bad for the dog that lost his life.

What makes it worse ... Totally preventable! That mother was an idiot!





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[passionflower]

JMOO.
mom is 34 years old, should of had better judgement.
We should know more about her before we speak???
It is just like she left a loaded gun on a bed,IMO.
She (and husband) has to live with this forever.
As I feel so bad for her, she also petrified many people that day.
Bless all who was there, it must of been the most horrible thing to hear and see.
Her actions put rescuers in danger.
Many mothers that their children die because they drove drunk,
or other accidents are charged with neglect.
This decision is on a judge.
It will be a shame if the painted dog exhibit closes.
Many people may never get to see them now.
R.I.P. dear little one.
This was so preventable. JMOO

 

[Linda7NJ]

Yeah let's just make the Mom feel even worse then she probably already does. Allot of people hold their kids up to get a better view of things, her Dad probably did it to her when she was a kid as mine did to me and my siblings(I do not do this with my kids however). I am not saying this is right but it is a fact that people do this and will continue to do it so places really should think about adding more safety measures so things like this won't happen. Like adding bars, a larger net, etc.

The thing I am mad about is that someone didn't jump in right away to save the child. I would have jumped in a heart beat and covered him with my body if I was unable to fend them off, especially if he was my child.

I've picked my kid up to get a better look , had both arms wrapped around his middle too... Never ever ever would I place him on the rail, dangle him over it or sit him on it.




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[Linda7NJ]

Yeah let's just make the Mom feel even worse then she probably already does. Allot of people hold their kids up to get a better view of things, her Dad probably did it to her when she was a kid as mine did to me and my siblings(I do not do this with my kids however). I am not saying this is right but it is a fact that people do this and will continue to do it so places really should think about adding more safety measures so things like this won't happen. Like adding bars, a larger net, etc.

The thing I am mad about is that someone didn't jump in right away to save the child. I would have jumped in a heart beat and covered him with my body if I was unable to fend them off, especially if he was my child.

Again.... His mother didn't jump in


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[passionflower]

Putting a child on top of rails is dangerous as one can lose their grip easily. These painted dogs have a better kill rate than lions and have powerful bites. They make lions look wimpy. Sometimes a small predator is more dangerous than a large predator. Painted dogs have some noble traits that humans nowadays lack.

World's Deadliest - Killer Caretakers: Painted Dogs - YouTube

people need to respect wild animals.
Watch and protect your children!
I hate to see videos of small children beating against glass
teasing lions also.
One day they will do that to an animal and no glass, even a pet
will attack.
Then everyone is mad at the animal...............JMOO

 

[passionflower]

I was at that zoo right after the painted dogs escaped their habitat last spring.
We had my husbands 3 year old great neice (3) and great nephew (1).
The children had absolutely no problem seeing the dogs from that platform.
JMOO

 

[Nova]

I think they need a plaque memorizing the incident! So adults and children alike learn how to behave and the consequences of being stupid.

How sad and tragic. I feel horrible for that baby and everyone that witnessed it. I also feel really bad for the dog that lost his life.

What makes it worse ... Totally preventable! That mother was an idiot!





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What a great idea, Linda!

Do you live in WV? If so, I highly recommend a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo.