Crime & Safety

Witnesses Recount Pittsburgh Zoo Tragedy

Two Patch readers explain what they saw when a 2-year-old boy fell into the African painted dogs exhibit and was mauled to death Sunday.

As Pittsburgh police continue their investigation into the death of a 2-year-old boy who witness are telling their stories.

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."

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

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


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