I think that as parents we think safety, and what better way can you protect your child than in your arms. This was simply an accident, and a sad and tragic one at that. I can only imagine how the mom feels. But I think the painted dog exhibit is safe, we as parents have to be more attentive and smart about our actions! I am an offender of lifting my children over that same rail to see the dogs, and it's a shame that I have to take someone else's complete misery to learn a lesson.

This is a tragedy in every sense of the word. A family has lost a child, an endangered animal was killed and a great civic organization has been tarnished. The comments that people are posting online about this incident are truly vulgar. A mother lost a child. She didn't throw him into the enclosure. It was an accident and mistake. The one animal was shot. I am glad to see that none of the other dogs will be put down for simply behaving as their nature demands.
I hope that people can exercise some compassion and express some humanity for the family, zoo and animals. It is a truly tragic situation for all involved.

UPDATE: Police Confirm Zoo Mauling Victim to Be Whitehall Resident - http://patch.com/A-zrJv

Please, please don't lift you child over the rails. I feel so sorry for the parents, and I know the Zoo does everything it can to protect us.

I admit my Facebook wall was lit up with lots of comments on this, some more alarmist than others. Clearly a ba decision to have her child on the railing, but also one that, as a zoo member, I have made myself. I'm a large, strong father that likes to think this could never happen to me, but the reality is this accident will cause me to rethink my own similar actions in the future. I am going to go with the conclusion this was just a freak accident, and I'm sure the parents suffering through this is more than enough punishment, sad as it is. Being the first fatality ever for the zoo, I don't think this could be foresee or that it's the zoo's fault. A parent dropped their child, and that same parent has to assume the risk, knowing that anytime we stand our children on a 4 foot railing there is inherent risk in that act alone. Might the zoo choose to put a larger safety net in the future? Sure. That makes sense. But I'm not sure anyone could have foreseen this tragic turn of events from an act many of us are guilty of ourselves.

Josh said it perfectly. It is a true tragedy.

Tragic for the family, the dogs and the zoo. People are so quick to condem animals - they are animals. Unfortunately today people behave more like wild animals than the animals. Really a bad idea to put a two year old on a railing.

It is a tragedy. I would hope that the area where the child fell can be changed that no one can get up on that railing. Parents lift small children up to see....I have not seen this exhibit but I would hope there are areas where very small children can safely see the animals.

Thank you Josh for your comment. The family is a truly loving, caring family that centered their world around their little boy. This was such a tragic accident and I know people all over the world are giving their prayers to them.

My wife and I were just at the Zoo (and this exhibit) 2 weeks ago. We've been there many times before and every time I'm out there on the deck with the kids I get a bit of an uneasy feeling. That part exactly where the boy fell is what made me uneasy. It just seems like it is too open to the pit below and the catch fence didn't give me a lot of confidence. They need to alter the whole setup or just close the exhibit down completely. After what happened who really wants to see those dogs.

This is such a horrific event that I cannot imagine going through as a parent. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Sorry, but I see it as the Zoo's fault, they did NOT have everyone's safety in mind if a Child fell into the inclosure, Parents with children visit the Zoo to see Animals...Dad OR Mom is going to help their child SEE the animals, having a railing at a 45 degree angle is NOT a deterrent to someone falling in, a GLASS WINDOW in this instance would have been SAFE....The ZOO safety Committee FAILED.

This was truly a horrible accident. No people or animals should be punished. I am sure the family needs all the prayers it can get. I will pray for them and all involved.

Anyone of us can say what we shoulda, coulda done but until your in that situation you will never know. I feel we all have done things that could have ended in a tragedy without even thinking twice. My heart goes out to the mother and father of this child and I will pray for them.

I have seen this exhibit once, and honestly don't remember how the fence, etc. are aet up. I don't blame the animals or the zoo. It was an accident. The article states they have regular safety reviews of the exhibits. The suggestion I would make is once or twice a year, have an independent reivew. Have the safety committee from the Pittsburgh Zoo and another zoo, trade inspections for a month. It would bring fresh eyes and ideas to both zoos.

How can 79% say that the rail was safe? It obviously was not if it resulted in a death. 4 feet high? That's a joke, any toddler can jump over it.

Assigning blame to just about any tragic event is part of the grieving process and an attempt to make an illogical situation "logical." Accidents usually are not logical, they are unfortunate "twists of fate." My compassion goes out to this child's parents who will carry their grief for the rest of their lives; there is no need to condemn anyone.

They need to place glass windows in. It is an open area which should be closed off.

This is such a horrible accident that occured yesterday. I feel for this poor family and mom.. We all make decisions on the spot, sometimes those decisions may not be the best ones (this may have been the case here) but i'm not going to bash this poor women for this.. she is already going through enough and doesn't need to read the crap that some people are posting.. i am a mom to 3 boys ranging in age of 12-4 yrs old.. I know if it were one of them, I wouldn't be able to go on as a mom. I just hope they can find the strength to continue to live and get past this one day.. She will forever have to think about this incident and live w/ the lost of her child which NO PARENT should have to face. We can all sit here and say "Oh I would have done this or that" But until your in that situation (and I would pray no one ever is again) you don't know what you would or wouldn't do.. I'm sure it was shocking and tramatizing to everyone who witnessed it.. Could someone have jumped in maybe, could she not have lifted him up that high maybe, but those decisions have already been made and it won't bring him back, or bring them less pain. I can only hope people will stop judging her and start being there for them as a community. Show the support, Prayers as any parent would need at this time.. No parent is perfect.

Heres a thought. tots should be in strollers for their own safety. have you ever been in a restauant where tots are roaming about and the parents think it is cute. Happens in many public areas such as dept stores as well. Parents need to be responsible and use common sense. children are curious, energetic etc. but the parent needs to be in control, not texting or talking on cell phone. Our children are our most precious possession. care for them as such.

I have lived in the Pittsburgh area my entire life. I have visited this zoo each year for the past 31 years. The African painted dog exhibit leaves a lot to be desired. My problem with this exhibit is that it doesn't coincide with how dangerous these animals are. To be honest, I wasn't aware of exactly how dangerous these dogs were until this past May when 9 of them escaped the enclosure. Mrs Baker, the zoo CEO or whatever, said they just escaped to a back yard that was also fenced in. If that's the case, then why did they have zoo visitors file into buildings for safety? If they only escaped into a "back yard". Of course many zoo animals are dangerous, they are wild animals. The level of safety for zoo patrons with this dog enclosure should be (esp after the incident in May) looked at as severe as the enclosures surrounding the tigers and lions.
There is no netting in front of the area where the child fell, which makes no sense.
My heart goes out to the family of this little boy. Don't get me wrong, it was a life altering bad decision on the mothers part, but the "punishment" she is receiving is enough for a lifetime.

Why wouldn't someone have jumped in?

To be sure, a tragic event.

Suggesting changes at the zoo is a knee-jerk reaction. There are many other public places with drop offs. Go to the shopping mall, and find railings with drop offs greater that 12-14 feet. Go to the stadiums and find railings with drop offs greater than 12-14 feet. If changes are dictated at the zoo, are changed dictated at all these other public places with railings have drop offs behind them?

Perhaps the best that can be made of this very bad situation is to use it as a lesson. It serves as a lesson for all parents to understand the hazards of positioning children in vulnerable places. A short slip in judgment can compromise the safety of a child. Events like this happen so fast that preventative measures are only effective. Remedial measures are way too slow to be useful.

For me, the animals are just being the instinctive animals that nature holds for them. The title of this piece is misleading, using "euthanizing." That idea doesn't even enter the discussion. Food isn't the issue, rather instinct.

I saw a video on YouTube of a much smaller pack (five dogs, I believe) hunting and taking down an impala. It was 26 seconds between them catching the impala and ripping it in half - literally in two pieces! How much softer is a toddler... No one could have gotten in there fast enough to save the child.

Laura,
I understand but to watch and not try to save him is beyond my imagination...

The fall didn't kill the child the dogs did. The deck is not safe. 4 ft high? My nephew could climb that and be over it in 5 seconds on his own. And keep them in strollers? It's the zoo! It's meant for the children. It should be safe.

The mother cannot blame this on the zoo. Heck even if the fence was only 4 feet high, who would be stupid enough to place their child on the edge of a pit of wild predators. Some old fashioned common sense could have prevented this needless tragedy (Iam talking about both the child and an endangered animal)

My prayers are for little Maddox, his Mom, Dad and family. Mom, Dad and family are suffering and are heartbroken and I wish them peace as difficult as it may be.
God has a new Angel in Heaven. If anyone knows this family, please surround them with love and compassion; they need it now more than ever.

I have an issue with Baker the CEO of the Zoo. I watched her on TV and she said personnel were there in seconds but it was too dangerous for them to do anything. Really? Shouldn't the Zoo be equipped to handle a horrific situation such as this? In this horrific situation personnel should have been armed to shoot these dogs to try and save him. Witnesses have said it took 5 or more minutes before the police arrived to shoot the one dog that wouldn't go away from the child. These dogs may be endangered specie, however, they are NOT more important than a human life ever!

Peace and prayers also to the witnesses, police, personnel and anyone else that may have been there during this tragedy.

That's why WE as parents need to ensure our children's safety.

VERY SAD.PARENTS IN THE END ARE THE NUMBER 1 RESPONCABLE FOR YOUR BABY SAFETY. I PRAY FOR THE MOTHER.

I have recently been to the zoo, and can clearly recall thinking that area did not seem safe to me! But it was not the open area that conserned me it was how close the dogs could get to the sides of the platform! I believe I remember signs posted about NOT being up on the exhibits all over the zoo! The fault lies only with one person in my opinion, but I sure she's beating herself up pretty good! A simple net over the open area would suffice! In my opinion!

My heart breaks every day for little Maddox and his mother and father. I have cried everyday when I hear about this tragic accident. We frequent the zoo often since we have had memberships the last couple yrs and have a 4 and 3 yr old. Elizabeth is NOT the first parent to ever lift her child up to see better. I have seen it many times when at the zoo. We ALL have learned a lesson but it is so sad that Maddox and his family had to pay the ultimate price. I too felt uneasy about the dog exhibit and we usually avoid it. We were there a couple weeks before this accident and the dogs were everywhere and right by the glass(I never see them there) The kids were in luck. No one is to blame for this tragic accident. Accidents happen and it is devastating when a person, especially a child loses their life. The dogs should not be put down but I do agree with others that have commented how there is no desire to see them. When we get the courage to go again, I will not go to that exhibit. I will just be reminded of poor Maddox and his mother having to witness his terrible death. i think they should move the dogs to another zoo. Such heartache connected to that exhibit now. Just MHO. Prayers to Maddox and his family during this difficult time. I pray for Elizabeth that she knows many many mothers are out there mourning with her and are so very sorry she has to mourn the loss of her beautiful boy. RIP Maddox.

@ Ed M you are absolutely right....I agree.......

Ok I have read many of the comment, yes the railing was only four feet even if it was higher a parent is still going to lift their child up so they can see. It was a bed decision and with out a drought tragic. I was just their my self and found the exhibit to be safe, however everything can always be safer. yes they could put up the netting all the way around the inclosure. I feel for the lose of a loved one for any one, however It sicked me that anyone can write these poor dogs off, that only did as they know to do, like any wild animal. This exhibit should not be closed, it is not a waste of space, this living creature is beautifully and has every right to be at the zoo as any one of the other wild animals. We as humans need to consider that they are wild and even though they are beautifully they a as well very dangerous. It may be harsh to say but there was a insentient animal doin only what it knew was murdered that day and not many seem to care about that at all.

The zoo should be closed indefinitely and the exhibit closed and never opened again! No it is not a safe place, not if something this tragic happened!

I agree with Roger. A standard handrail is 4 ft high. I seen these types of railings on bridges hundreds of feet over water. These rails are literally every where. All you have to do is look around to see them. This accident was very tragic indeed. Thoughts and prayers to the young boy who perished and his family.

Im a mother of two , if something this tragic happened to me id be a mess. Im so sorry for the mother and family. I feel the zoo is safe. I live 2 1/2 hrs away and drive there every summer we love it. I feel the zoo isnt at fault the mother shouldnt of let the lil guy up there by himself he was to young. Again Iam sorry for her loss. My heart goes out to her and her family.

My prayers go out to the mother for her grief /guilt and the father for the loss of Maddox. The Zoo should not be closed lol at that, and check your spelling before hitting send!

There is far more danger with little ones dying in swimming pools and car accidents (even in car seats) but yet children still swim and parents put them in cars. Life does involve risk. I'm sure there is not a parent out there who hasn't put their child at risk without intending to at some time. Why do we just accept that children drown in pools and get killed in car accidents but rant and rave about 1 incident at a zoo?

THE ZOO IS AT FAULT HERE. WOULD THEY HAVE LEFT AN OPENING ABOVE THE LION'S DEN OR THE BEAR'S DEN? THE ANIMALS BEHAVED EXACTLY HOW PACK ANIMALS BEHAVE AND NO ONE IS BLAMING THEM. ALSO THE ZOO PUTS UP MARKERS AND SIGNS TALKING ABOUT THE 'POOR LITTLE OLD ENDANGERED PAINTED DOG' WHICH LULLS PEOPLE INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. i GO TO THE ZOO MONTHLY. THESE ANIMALS ARE DISGUSTING ALWAYS URINATING ON EACH OTHER AND ROLLING IN THE DIRT. I HOPE THE ZOO PAYS OUT THE NOSE. IS IT UNREASONABLE FOR A MOTHER TO HOLD A ONE YEAR OLD CHILD? OF COURSE NOT SHE STOOD BY THE CAGED PORTION AND MOVED AROUND A POST NOT REALIZING THE OTHER SIDE WAS NOT CAGED AND THE CHILD FELL. THE ZOO SHOULD BE ASHAMED. GO TO LIVING TREASURES AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER EXPERIENCE THAN THE CRAPPY ZOO. AND KEEP BLAMING THE MOTHER IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR OWN PATHETIC LITTLE LIFE.

It is comforting to see that most of the comments here are compassionate. This is the first forum I have ever joined to post a comment. I only did so because of some very judgemental comments I have seen regarding Maddox's mother. It breaks my heart and I hope she never sees those comments.

James- your version of events seems to be much different than what the DA and police have said. I've read a couple your posts and its evident that you believe the zoo was/is at fault, not the mom. Personally, I don't think it matters where the fault lies. Absolutely nothing will bring Maddox back, including the PPG zoo being sued and "paying through the nose." Also, your comment about the signs giving a false sense of security makes no sense. If you read the sign about how the dogs are endangered, you probably read the signs that say how dangerous these animals are.
This was a horrible, horrible accident. My thoughts and prayers truly go out to the Derkosh family. My God grant them peace and comfort during this time. RIP Maddox.

James
2:44 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 she didnt lift her child over the rail. I know the family and what happened. Maybe you should shut your piehole since you dont know anything.

If you have different information from what all law enforcement and zoo officials have, James, perhaps you should share it, or at the very least give the Patch readers your source as the rest of us are getting our information from news media such as Patch, PPG, and local television broadcasts, along with internet news reports such as CNN.