![]() ![]() "Directly below the unprotected area is a narrow cantilevered netting structure. The "only unprotected, open area of the exhibit is the center viewing area," the complaint states. See-through wire mesh ran along all areas above the railing except for one unprotected window. Several photos in the 39-page complaint illustrate the exhibit, including a picture of the "discolored, dirty plastic" railing that ran along the interior perimeter of the structure. The visitor observation structure is "a covered deck that is elevated above the ground where a pack of African wild dogs roam unrestrained and unsupervised," according to the complaint. for the purpose of exhibiting to visitors this endangered species of animals." The exhibit "simulates the zoo's actual Bush Camp joint research site in Zimbabwe, Africa. After class, they walked through the zoo to see several exhibits, including the Painted Dog Bush Camp Exhibit, which housed 11 African wild dogs. 4, 2012, Maddox and his mom were attending a "Zoo School" conservation education class for children held at and run by the Pittsburgh Zoo. "The zoo defendants blatantly ignored a warning from their employee regarding the safety inadequacies of the African wild dog exhibit and the direct safety threat the African wild dog exhibit presented to children visiting the Zoo." Frank Pizzi, Curator of Horticulture at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium of his observations and his fears and concerns that a child could fall into the African wild dog exhibit and was told, 'This is not your concern, go back to work.' It continues: "Lou Nene told his boss, Mr. "Nene, in an interview broadcast Novemon KDKA-TV, admitted that he would see mothers place their children above or on the inadequately protected railing and opening 'at least ten' times a day," the complaint states. (T)he protection devices, guards, rails and/or the intended safety netting immediately below the opening were insufficient, defective and inadequate to prevent falls into this exhibit."īefore Maddox died, zoo employee Lou Nene warned the zoo that he "personally observed mothers lift their children to see through the unguarded viewing area or place, then on the inadequately protected railing of the viewing window in the African wild dog exhibit 'every day,'" the parents say in the complaint. ![]() the railings and guards at the African wild dog exhibit were in a defective and dangerous condition, as they were too low and insufficient to prevent Maddox, or any other visitor, from falling," the complaint states. Within 20 minutes of falling into the exhibit, Maddox suffered "more than 220 total injuries resulting in extensive trauma to his head, neck trunk and extremities," his parents say in the complaint. The complaint states: "African wild dogs are among the most ferocious predators in the wild and are widely considered the most efficient killers in the African plains, living in the wild on a diet of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, and other many times their size (typically 37-80 pounds.)" In addition to the defective railing and net, the Derkoshes claim the zoo "armed its employees with unloaded and/or blank tranquilizer guns," had "non-functioning tranquilizer darts" and failed to heed safety warnings from its own employee. They claim the zoo provided inadequate railings and insufficient netting.Įlizabeth and Jason Derkosh sued the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh for the wrongful death of their son, strict liability and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Maddox Derkosh slipped through his mother's fingers, fell through an exhibit-viewing window last November and was mauled to death by the wild dogs, his parents claim in Allegheny County Court. PITTSBURGH (CN) - A pack of African wild dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo killed a 2-year-old toddler while his mother helplessly watched, the family claims in court. ![]()
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