This may be one of the most tragic freak stories of 2012. A Pittsburgh mother is grieving today after her son fell from a railing at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and was ravaged by wild African dogs.
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According to Lt. Kevin Kraus of the Pittsburgh police, the attack happened at about 11:45 a.m. Sunday after the mother picked the child up and put him on top of a railing at the edge of a viewing deck.
Kraus said:
“Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell down off the railing into the pit, and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs…It was very horrific.”
As reported by the Associated Press:
It’s not yet clear whether the boy died from the fall or the attack, said Barbara Baker, president of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Zoo officials at first estimated the boy fell 14 feet, but police said it was 11. It’s not clear which is correct.
Authorities said that zoo staff and then police responded “within minutes” but visitors described that time as being filled with screams for help. Zookeepers called off some of the dogs, and seven of them immediately went to a back building. Three more eventually were drawn away from the child, but the last dog was aggressive and police had to shoot the animal.
Steve Feldman, a spokesman for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said no one he’s spoken to can recall any deaths of children at an accredited zoo over the last 40 years or more. Feldman said the Pittsburgh Zoo successfully completed its 5-year review in September, which means it meets or exceeds all safety standards.
The names of the boy and his mother weren’t released by authorities. After the accident, the zoo was immediately closed according to police.
SOURCE: AP
