Crime & Safety

Witnesses Recount Child's Tragic Death at Pittsburgh Zoo

Two Patch readers explain what they saw when African Painted Dogs attacked a 2-year-old boy who fell into their exhibit Sunday at the animal attraction in Highland Park.

As Pittsburgh police continue their investigation into the death of a 2-year-old boy who was mauled after falling into the African Painted Dogs exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, witness are telling their accounts.

Two of them commented to Patch.

A person using the name Dreamweaver wrote: "I was at the zoo today in the restaurant right outside of the Painted dog exhibit and witnessed it...very scary. We have often thought just how unsafe that exhibit is, nothing to stop anyone from falling. Nothing I want to witness again."

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Kathleen Lucas was another witness who shared her comments on Patch.

"I was there, at the exhibit. It did not take several minutes for the dogs to attack, they did so immediately. It was a horrible scene that I wish I was not part of and witness. My prayers go out to the mom and family."

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Homicide investigators have interviewed several witnesses and zoo personnel, and the investigation is ongoing, police said. 

They are asking anyone who witnessed this incident to call the Pittsburgh Homicide Unit at (412) 323-7161.


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