Monday,  November 5, 2012 • Vol. 13--No. 111 • 33 of 35 •  Other Editions

(Continued from page 32)

2 -year-old boy is killed after falling into wild dog exhibit at Pittsburgh Zoo

• PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A mother's attempt to give her two-year-old son a better view of wild African dogs turned into a "horrific" tragedy at the Pittsburgh Zoo after the boy fell into the exhibit and was killed by a pack of the animals as relatives and bystanders looked on.
• Lt. Kevin Kraus of the Pittsburgh police said the attack happened at about 11:45 a.m. Sunday after the mother picked the child up and put him on top of a railing at the edge of a viewing deck. "Almost immediately after that he lost his balance, fell down off the railing into the pit, and he was immediately attacked by 11 dogs," Kraus said. "It was very horrific."
• It's not yet clear whether the boy died from the fall or the attack, said Barbara Baker, president of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Zoo officials at first estimated the boy fell 14 feet, but police said it was 11. It's not clear which is correct.
• Authorities said that zoo staff and then police responded "within minutes" but visitors described that time as being filled with screams for help. Zookeepers called off some of the dogs, and seven of them immediately went to a back building. Three more eventually were drawn away from the child, but the last dog was aggressive and police had to shoot the animal.
• Experts said the death is highly unusual.

Today in History
The Associated Press

• Today is Monday, Nov. 5, the 310th day of 2012. There are 56 days left in the year.

• Today's Highlight in History:
• On Nov. 5, 1912, Democrat Woodrow Wilson was elected president, defeating Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt, incumbent Republican William Howard Taft and Socialist Eugene V. Debs.

• On this date:
• In 1605, the "Gunpowder Plot" failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could

(Continued on page 34)

© 2012 Groton Daily Independent • To send correspondence, click here.