Boy Dies of Possible African Wild Dog Bite Injuries at Zoo
A young boy was found dead by authorities after he fell and was attacked by a pack of dogs at a wild African dog exhibit at a Pittsburgh zoo Sunday morning. His mother and other visitors saw in desperation as the wild dogs bit into the child, they were unable to stop the dogs. An ongoing investigation has closed down the zoo to the public indefinitely.
African painted dog – like the one that bit the boy that was found dead at the zoo exhibit (Photo credit: Wikipedia).
According to CTV News, the mother, a 34-year-old that lives in Pleasant Hills picked up the child and placed him atop the railing at the edge of the viewing deck at the Pittsburgh Zoo late in the morning. She wanted her child to get a closer view of the Painted Dog Bush Camp Exhibit. Theses wild African dogs in the exhibit are considered endangered. They are about as big as medium-sized domestic dogs, and weigh anywhere from 37 to 80 pounds, according to the zoo. Appearance-wise, they have large, rounded ears and dark brown circles around their eyes.
The child, a two-year-old, now had a better look of the exhibit but was on a dangerous location Lt. Kevin Kraus of the Pittsburgh police told the station.
“Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell off the railing into the pit, and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs,” Kraus said. “It was very horrific.”
Barbara Baker, president of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium told the station that it was not yet clear whether the boy died from the fall or the attack. The exact distance that the child fell is being disputed. Zoo officials allege fourteen feet, the police allege eleven.
An autopsy is expected to be performed on Monday. Upon its completion, authorities will release the name of the boy.
A report revealed that zoo staff, then police responded to the scene within minutes of the attack. Zookeepers were able to call off seven dogs that immediately retreated to the building. Out of the remaining four, three were eventually removed from the child. The last dog that remained was aggressive and police were forced to shoot it.
Visitors described the scene as a time that was filled with screams for help.
Police and the Allegheny County medical examiner’s office are investigating. After grief counseling, the mother and father will be interviewed.
Have you lost a loved one or have been seriously injured as a result of a canine bite? If so, contact a dog bite lawyer, you may be entitled to compensation.
Reviewed by Chris H. in 2012.