Boy killed after falling into African wild dog exhibit

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

Terrible decision by the mother. All she wanted to do was allow her son to see the animals.
This kind of hits me in a way. My wife and I were going to take our son (10 months) to the Zoo today. I know I would probably hold him up so he could see things.

I'll be holding him extra tight when we do go. Certainly won't be balancing him on any railings or whatever.

Creepy feeling...

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Red-Mile-DJ

Terrible decision by the mother. All she wanted to do was allow her son to see the animals.
This kind of hits me in a way. My wife and I were going to take our son (10 months) to the Zoo today. I know I would probably hold him up so he could see things.

I'll be holding him extra tight when we do go. Certainly won't be balancing him on any railings or whatever.

Creepy feeling...

Well I hope it wasn't this story that gave you the idea to not balance your small child on railings at the zoo.

[RedMileDJ]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Well I hope it wasn't this story that gave you the idea to not balance your small child on railings at the zoo.

Holy crap...NO! I have a lot more sense than that. I get nervous just balancing him on my couch, while holding his hands.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by T@T

This thread reminds me of just what's wrong with society, did you cold hearted freakazoids ever think maybe the mother misjudged that the kid could flip over the fence or even misjudged the dangers of these cute little harmless looking dogs. It was a 5 foot fence and she probably was watching the little guy but lets face it, one little 2 second distraction to take her attention/her eyes off the little boy for is all it takes.

In case you didn't know everyone makes more than one mistake in their lives that could end very tragicly but most get lucky in the result. Calling a mother who just lost her little boy because of a brutal mistake in judgement a stupid slunt and an idiot shows what kind of humans there are on this planet.

Shame on you "perfect" people.

It has nothing to do with being perfect. Sitting a 2 year old on a railing and expecting the child not to move was sheer idiocy on the part of the mother. If they were harmless dogs, they wouldn't be caged in a zoo.

[Rhettzky]

I find it odd how some could call a parent an idiot after they just lost their child and witnessed the death in the most horrific way you could possibly imagine. And so quickly after too. Sure they might be an idiot but no one deserves that.

[Daradon]

The vast majority of these zoo mishaps, including this one seem to be spectator caused, and generally from sheer stupidity. I feel bad for the kid but not really for the mom. Sounds like she's lucky the boy lived this long.

In some ways society has made things so safe (and even worse made it so easy for stupid people to sue because things aren't 'safe enough') that people are taking more and more dumb risks like this. And you just know the mom is going to sue the zoo, and there's going to be investigation by various groups.

It's not the zoo's fault and it's not the dogs fault. It's maroons like this mother that are at fault and we're starting to baby them as a society. I don't see how it's going to get any better. Society, especially in the states really is going to the stupid and lazy.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Dion

It has nothing to do with being perfect. Sitting a 2 year old on a railing and expecting the child not to move was sheer idiocy on the part of the mother. If they were harmless dogs, they wouldn't be caged in a zoo.

Not too mention every zoo I've ever been to always has signs that say, 'do not hang over/balance on/stand over the railings.' Even if this one didn't, wow. Balancing him on a railing. What is he, a gymnast at 2?

Some people shouldn't have kids.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Daradon

The vast majority of these zoo mishaps, including this one seem to be spectator caused, and generally from sheer stupidity. I feel bad for the kid but not really for the mom. Sounds like she's lucky the boy lived this long.

In some ways society has made things so safe (and even worse made it so easy for stupid people to sue because things aren't 'safe enough') that people are taking more and more dumb risks like this. And you just know the mom is going to sue the zoo, and there's going to be investigation by various groups.

It's not the zoo's fault and it's not the dogs fault. It's maroons like this mother that are at fault and we're starting to baby them as a society. I don't see how it's going to get any better. Society, especially in the states really is going to the stupid and lazy.

I don't see what it has to do with society being lazy. People (including you) make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes have tragic consequences. As a society we sometimes have to take precautions to protect ourselves form the mistakes we make.

Anyone is capable of an error in judgment. This was a horrible error in judgment.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Wow I didn't even consider the dog. The poor boy who is dead, The poor mother who made a mistake and will be haunted for life, the fellow visitors who had to witness that event...

But you dog lovers shoot right to the important stuff don't you? Who gives a flying frack about some stupid mutt, seriously.

Good lord, of course the main tragedy is the boy, I didn't think I needed to emphasize that. Shoulda known better that someone would overreact to that statement.

The only point I was making in the post you quoted is an animal was killed for being, you know, an animal...needlessly.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I don't see what it has to do with society being lazy. People (including you) make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes have tragic consequences. As a society we sometimes have to take precautions to protect ourselves form the mistakes we make.

Anyone is capable of an error in judgment. This was a horrible error in judgment.

There are something that's that you don't get a second chance at. Of all the ways to have a legitimate accident in the world, or an accident because of someone else's negligence (like drunk driving for instance) do we really need to add more (by say sitting your toddler at the top of a wild animal exhibit)?

There are also things that are so obvious everyone should get them. Like don't sit your kid ON A RAILING, ON A FREAKING WILD ANIMAL ENCLOSURE, THAT INCLUDES WILD DOGS AND A LARGE DROP.

This thing was both of those.

I may be capable of many errors in judgment, but certainly not this. Not even close. I'm hoping (praying) that most wouldn't be. But lately it seems like I would be wrong. At least when it comes to zoos.

Hey honey! Get a picture of little Nate sitting on this precarious railing overtop a fall that could possibly cripple an infant, enclosing a a pack of wild dogs! Won't that be cute!

Shoot the dog indeed... Shoot the mom.

[Sr. Mints]

Wow, there are some real heartless #######s making a display here.

It was a tragedy, and these things happen even when they probably shouldn't. We often know better, but a moment's lapse in judgement resulting in the most unimaginable outcome could befall any one of us at any time.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I find it odd how some could call a parent an idiot after they just lost their child and witnessed the death in the most horrific way you could possibly imagine. And so quickly after too. Sure they might be an idiot but no one deserves that.

I agree, the personal on line attacks remind me of the people that kept posting insults to the girl who killed herself.

I make jokes about tragedies on here all the time but to direct it at the mother just seems harsh.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by T@T

This thread reminds me of just what's wrong with society, did you cold hearted freakazoids ever think maybe the mother misjudged that the kid could flip over the fence or even misjudged the dangers of these cute little harmless looking dogs. It was a 5 foot fence and she probably was watching the little guy but lets face it, one little 2 second distraction to take her attention/her eyes off the little boy for is all it takes.

In case you didn't know everyone makes more than one mistake in their lives that could end very tragicly but most get lucky in the result. Calling a mother who just lost her little boy because of a brutal mistake in judgement a stupid slunt and an idiot shows what kind of humans there are on this planet.

Shame on you "perfect" people.

LOL said by a person that obviously doesn't have kids. What a terrible post from an person oblivious to the responsibilities of raising a child. As a parent you never, ever take risks and put your kids in possible harm. EVER!!!! It's your responsibility to keep your childeren out of harm. You don't let them cross the road without holding their hands, you don't even drive two blocks without them in their child seat, you don't let them leave your eye in busy places, you don't leave them with strangers, and you sure as hell don't put them up on railings when killer dogs are on the other side.

I am not perfect but I have common sense and am fit to be a parent. Sometimes kids just do things that get themselves in trouble that are out of your control but not this particular incident. It's ideals like yours that is the problem with society. Bleeding hearts that believe that the perpetrator is somehow a victim. This woman that you are so quick to paint as a victim has proven she's not fit to be a parent and unfortunately her son paid the ultimate price.

[mikephoen]

She should be charged with manslaughter.

[FlamesAddiction]

I hope the fall killed the kid or at least knocked him out cold.

Being eaten alive would be a really awful way to go.

[HELPNEEDED]

Accidents happen; People make mistakes. The mother made a mistake, its not like she waisted at home while her pet pitt-bulls ate her son. Get a little perspective people, yes it was a stupid decision but regardless an unintended mistake much like a road accident.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Iginla

I'm over at my cousins house and just snapped a pic of his dogs and they agree.

Something isn't right with that bed situation.

[Dion]

This woman was not fit to be a parent .

Pittsburgh police Major Crimes Lt. Kevin Kraus said the boy's 34-year-old mother placed the child in a standing position on a wooden railing overlooking the enclosure.

"Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell down off the railing into the actual pit and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs," Lt. Kraus said.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...xhibit-660606/

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Dion

This woman was not fit to be a parent .



http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...xhibit-660606/

Oh please give her a break. Mistakes happen. She's the victim here because people make mistakes. We need to have some perspective here.

Seriously I would like to see her charged for negligence.

[Nyah]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Accidents happen; People make mistakes. The mother made a mistake, its not like she waisted at home while her pet pitt-bulls ate her son. Get a little perspective people, yes it was a stupid decision but regardless an unintended mistake much like a road accident.

Wait a sec, having a pet pit bull at home that (like any other large dog) has the capability to 'eat' a kid, is worse parenting than standing your toddler on a railing with a huge drop into a wild animal encolsure?

I certainly feel bad for the lady - but this isn't a regular old accident. Throw a three year old on a balance beam and see how long he lasts for. I can barely keep my balance on one of those things! This was outright stupidity and endagerment that ultimately led to her son being killed in a really awful way. I'm sure she's more aware than anyone of her 'mistake', but I'm not sure in this situation that knowledge should excuse what she did.