Saturday, December 8, 2012
The district attorney's office said the observation platform of the exhibit will be removed out of respect for the Derkosh family, whose 2-year-old son was mauled to death by the African painted dogs.
The observation platform at the Pittsburgh Zoo from which 2-year-old Maddox Derkosh of Whitehall fell into an African painted dogs exhibit will be removed, according to a spokesman at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. "In an effort to facilitate the ongoing review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Maddox Derkosh at the Pittsburgh Zoo, District Attorney (Stephen) Zappala met this morning with Dr. Barbara Baker and the City of Pittsburgh police officers who responded to the scene," said spokesman Mike Manko in an email to reporters. Maddox was visiting the zoo with his mother on Nov. 4 when he fell from the top of a platform railing to the ground inside of the dogs exhibit and was mauled to death. "The meeting, …
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The African painted dogs mauled a 2-year-old Whitehall boy to death in early November.
Less than a month after 2-year-old Maddox Derkosh of Whitehall was mauled to death at the Pittsburgh Zoo, news has surfaced that the zoo's 2013 calendar features African painted dogs, the same species that killed the boy in early November. Zoo officials say that the calendars, featuring the dogs in its March spreads, had already been printed and made available to patrons before Derkosh's death, according to The Huffington Post. Maddox was visiting the zoo with his mother on Nov. 4 when he fell from the top of a platform railing to the ground inside of the pit area of the dogs' exhibit, according to a statement from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Pittsburgh police said that the child lost his balance after his mother lifted him in a …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The most read articles this week were about the tragedy involving a 2-year-old boy who was mauled to death by African painted dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Other top stories were about this week's election.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Mike Jones
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Saturday, November 10, 2012
Even with a major presidential campaign in full swing, the top stories this week weren’t about politics. Unfortunately, the most read articles were about the tragedy involving a 2-year-old Whitehall boy who was mauled to death by African painted dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The zoo later announced the animals will not be euthanized. The popular elections stories included the results and recaps of the most important races. The hottest local race was between Matt Smith and Raja to see who would replace former state Sen. John Pippy. And the most interesting storyline was how the four communities that make up the Chartiers Valley School District closely split their presidential election votes. The final results for Bridgeville Collier, …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium CEO Barbara Baker said the African painted dogs will remain in quarantine for 30 days. The zoo will reopen Tuesday.
The African painted dog that mauled a 2-year-old visitor to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will not be euthanized, but all of the zoo’s African painted dogs would remain in quarantine for 30 days, zoo CEO Barbara Baker announced Monday. The boy, who neighbors told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review was Maddox Derkosh of Whitehall, was with his 34-year-old mother, when he fell from the top of a platform railing to the ground inside the pit in the dogs' exhibit, according to a statement from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Police said the child lost his balance after his mother lifted him in a standing position onto the 4-foot-high wooden railing that overlooks the enclosure. "The child was caught by the safety netting below the railing," …
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ella
11:57 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I'm a bit disappointed by this decision, though I respect that it was not easy for anyone to make. I don't cast a blame on the Derkosh family or on the zoo; this was a very tragic accident. However, I think it would be wrong to rob other people of the privilege to see these majestic animals in one of the few places in the United States where they are kept. I sincerely hope that a safe visitor … more ›