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waltsgirl102503
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Zoo tragedy - WDYT?
I'm sure you've all heard about the horrible accident at the zoo on Sunday. I've seen a lot of debate on FB and heard people calling in about it on the radio - so many place blame on the mom and are saying horrible things about her and her action/reaction to the incident. So what do you think? Negligence or horrible, tragic accident?
Re: Zoo tragedy - WDYT?
I was wondering when there would be a post about this. I do agree with many of the post yesterday on FB about how easy it is to point fingers and blame the mother. Or wonder where her "motherly instinct" was to not jump in there and try and save him. How easy it is to say you would do somehting when you were not in her shoes. Nor will you walk in her shoes for the rest of her life. This woman will live with this for the rest of her life. Question every move she made that day and again for the rest of her life. I can not even imagine.
I did hear on the radio this morning that it showed he did not die from the 14 ft fall but the mauling. I thought outload "Did we really need to know that?" NO.
I also think when I hear people saying or posting on FB,"Oh I was going to go to the zoo and maybe now I won't...." that isn't the answer either. Things can happen in your own backyard. We have an amazing zoo and they should not suffer because you want your child in a bubble.
This.
I agree that it was a horrible accident. And i totally agree that they didn't need to disclose that he didn't die in the fall.
I also agree that people need to remember that the zoo contains wild animals and although they are in a zoo, they are not domesticated. People were freaking out that the entire pack was not being euthanized, and they had Bob Hannah on KDKA saying that it was completely normal behavior. I do believe that the zoo will change the observation deck when the exihibit opens in the spring, if it does re-open.
ETA: NO ONE knows what they would have done in that situation. It is easy to say you would have done something, but they have entire television shows based on the fact that people don't intervene. So those people need to get off their high horses. It happened so fast.
I agree with what everyone has posted so far. I still can barely stomach even thinking about it still, when I heard the news Sunday afternoon I was completely consumed by it the rest of the day. I cannot imagine what those parents are going through right now, and the last thing they need is hearing everyone running their mouths about it about what they would or would not have done.
They summed it up well on the radio this morning when they said that when you weren't there, it's easy to develop a "superhero complex" where you assume that you would have jumped in....as the mom, or even a bystander, but in that moment, that's not always the case. You're in shock, or you realize that there's nothing you can do.
People were calling in and judging the other people who stood by and didn't jump in.....but we don't know their stories. That person who didn't jump in to help might be someone's mom or dad. It would be great to think that we could all dive right in and save the day, but if I were there with my kids and saw it happen to someone else's kid, no way would I throw myself in after him. So I don't think we should be judging the mom, or anyone else who was there.
Jake - 1.15.08
Liam - 5.17.11
I totally agree with that too-those animals are wild animals in captivity. I don't think they should be euthanized for their natural survival instincts. they look cute, but we all were reminded in the most terrible way that all of the animals in the zoo are not pets.
I do wonder if the zoo will keep the exhibit, or if they will send the dogs to another zoo.
If staff wouldn't dive in because of the severity, nobody else should have either. And what did they expect anyone to do? Jump the 4 stories down there and injure themselves just in the jump alone? That seems ridiculous.
When the story broke it was questioned how the child died. I expected a follow up. Maybe it didn't need to be known but I think that could be said about many of the details surrounding the story. I suppose our neb nose ways draws the line at how the child died?
It was definitely a tragic accident. Though it reminds you that maybe we should think twice about the things that we do with our children-just because no injuries have resulted before doesn't mean they couldn't have. Anything can happen so we should always be diligent.
Honestly I have a hard time understanding how or why she would have put her child up there. But I try to give the benefit if the doubt and it certainly is a tragic accident.
As for jumping in I certainly can't fault anyone for not doing it. The only person I could see doing it would be the mom out of instinct but can't blame her for not doing it.
as for blaming the zoo that is ridiculous. As they have said there is no fool proof exhibit. You cannot plan for every possible thing and it definitely seems that they had precautions in place. It's not as if the animals got loose. We would never have zoos at all if we tried to make them completely fool proof.
and the dogs, definitely should not be euthanized. That is not the solution at all,
I am really disturbed by this incident. Ugh. I really can't bring myself to think about it that much because it is unimaginable.
I think we can all agree that we've had lapses in judgement pre/post children. I've been lucky enough that none of my bad judgements have resulted in catastrophe. It's a terrible incident and I don't believe pointing fingers at the mother is in anyway a solution. Unfortunately, this has now become a horrific cautionary tale.
I'm sickened by the posts on fb I see that just keep rehashing that she shouldn't have done this or she should have done that or that bystanders should have jumped in, etc. As (very well) said by Kris, no one knows how they would react. Truly, they don't.
I'm also sickened by the people taking the stance that she (or that little boy) "deserved" it b/c she disregarded the rules. I'm also really sick of seeing "...she shouldn't have done that...she put her child at risk..." - while I don't disagree, b/c yes, that's true - what is that accomplishing? Should the discussion be more about how to avoid these things in the future and how rules/signs are posted in places (especially zoos and other possibly dangerous places) for a reason?
The whole situation is just so sad. I'm so sick of people on their stupid moral high horses.
Horrible, tragic accident.
Should he have been on the railing- No. Was he the first child ever placed on a railing at the zoo- HELL NO, I see if everytime I'm there. Could she have been holding him tighter- Who knows. I've heard people say she should have jumped in after him and thrown herself on top of him....but could you imagine the state of complete shock she much have been in. It could easily have been paralyzing. In the end I don't judge her and I don't put blame on her. We have all done things that probably weren't the safest and I'm sure he wasn't the first child standing on the railing that day or ever....I've seen parents do it all over the zoo. I've really never liked that overlook...it always kind of freaked me out that there wasn't plexiglass or something in that one area.
I do think that some people forget that beacause these animals caged there must be a level of training or domestication involved. There isn't any of these things and these really are wild animals.
Last night I a woman told me she thinks that the parent's marriage won't survive and/or that the mother will commit suicide. I wanted to slap her for wishing so ill on these poor people who are suffering more then I could possibly imagine. But since she was a complete stranger I restrained myself.
I think as parents we need to feel like we can protect our kids. So when something like this happens, it's tempting to think about what you would've done differently to change the outcome. But in reality, you just never really know. As Kris said, there are all kinds of studies about how people react in emergency situations, and I don't know that there's anything you can do to consciously change that.
Plus, as Emmy said, many of the other bystanders were likely parents themselves, and their instincts may have prevented them from putting themselves in harm's way.
While I may not hold my kids on top of the rails at the zoo, I'm sure there are many decisions I do make on a regular basis that could result in something bad happening. You just don't always know what those are until it's too late. A friend of mine is close with the family and says that she's a great mom. You have to feel for her.
The fact that they weren't sure initially if the fall was the cause of his death hopefully implies that he was at least unconscious.
I hestitated to start a post on this but I am so glad that this community is made up of people that don't judge -frankly its refreshing to read these posts. Like so many I have been sickened over the accident and especially over the quick comments of people calling for the mom to be criminally charged. To be honest I do have flashes of being in horrid situations when I do something wrong or don't react in time - trying to grab a hand to prevent a fall when its just out of reach, I turn my back for a minute and the baby falls down the steps, or runs into the street just when a car comes. Its that fast and its haunting even though its just a dream. I can't imagine living it. If only some of the people in our society would realize we are all human and we have faults & we err every.single.day. And we make choices that we so wish we hadn't made but that is life. So all I can do is pray for the mom & dad and those that witnessed the accident that someday they will be able to find peace. And for the rest of society to look at themselves and realize that while its so easy to spew awful thoughts and hatred towards the mom back the F off and mind your business.
I will also say that it does sadden me that the zoo did not have more precautions up around the exhibit. I saw a picture last night of the "net" he fell on which is designed to catch cell phones or purses (?!) and thought - why couldn't they have a net or glass all around it as an inclosure so you can still see but so there was no way for someone to fall in? As another poster said - do you think this was the first person to lift their child up and let them stand on the railing? Hell no. And who knows if the mom got distracted for a second and he fell out of her grasp or what but IMO - if you have an exhibit with arguably the most vicious animals with pack mentality (what I read about them was sick) you should make it foolproof. Just MO.
Lastly, I am sure that the news released the cause of death b/c if it was from the fall then the actions/inactions of the zoo employees would not have mattered b/c he was already dead. I so wish he would have died instantly.
How time flies! Caileigh (9), Keira (6) & Eamon (3)
I cried for a good 45 minutes last night after seeing that little one's picture. It sort of hit home for me at that point and I just lost it. Tim told me he doesn't want me reading about it anymore because I get so upset. No one tells you that after you have kids you'll be a crazy emotional mess the rest of your life.
My heart is shattered for that family and what they're living with and no one should be blamed for anything.
I don't think the zoo is at fault, I don't think it's a good idea to keep the exhibit either. I'm sure another zoo would be more than willing to take the dogs. I just don't think it's something people are going to want to see when they're there anymore.
This exactly.
I feel for both the family and I feel for the Zoo. I don't think the Zoo should be blamed for this - it was an ACCIDENT. I was about ready to jump through the TV last night watching recaps of the press conference and how rough the journalists were being on Zoo officials. Both sides need to take responsbility for what happened. As the director said, the railing are angled at 45 degrees for a reason - to prevent standing on and to, hopefully, project the child backwards (away from the exhibit) if indeed someone was leaning/standing on it and lost their balance. Fool-proof? No, and that's something that will need re-evaluated throughout EVERY Zoo in the US I'm sure.
My three sons!
Amen! It is so hard to find that balance between neurotic worry about things you cannot control, being safe, and allowing your kids to actually live without undue restrictions and anxiety.
I'm with the crowd that thinks "terrible, horrible accident." My heart breaks for that Mom. Like others have said, everyone makes choices that have been against better judgement. I hope that in real life that that Mom is surrounded by grace and caring.
I really agree with everything you said here.
I feel awful for everyone involved in this including the dogs. They are endangered animals who were only doing what is natrual for them. You could tell the director of the zoo is obviously heart broken over the situation. I can't even imagine how the mom ever moves on with her life. That would be it for me.
This is something that everyone needs to remember, especially. It's the animal's instinct. And something I try to tell my kids all of the time.
We're not shielding Gavin from any of the news right now, but I just reiterate to him that while our dog is not like the painted dogs, they are still animals and will do what is their natural instinct to do and that it's importnat to remember to respect animals. We saw this happen in Ireland with Conall - he kept trying to ride the family collie and we kept telling him to leave the dog alone; well, he sat down on poor, old Jessie's hind area and Jessie snapped at him. Unfortunately, with my kid, you'd think he would have learned but the kid is thick-headed.
My three sons!
I agree with you on both accounts.
I was listening to KDKA on the radio last night on the way home, and they were talking about the tragedy. I drove through tears for a good bit of time.
It is horrible. I couldnt imagine how everyone involved family and friends would feel losing a child is something no one wants to do in any right.
I can't blame the dogs. I initially didnt think they should get rid of the them, but maybe a transfer and redesign of that exibit would be better so that the situation doesn't linger forever and hold a dark shadow over the zoo.
I am sure the mother is going to regret, what I feel was, a horrible decision to make for the rest of her life. I also have a hard time thinking that at any point standing your child on a railing would even be a consideration anywhere let alone above a high drop especially over a pen of wild animals.
I can't blame the zoo either or the exhibit design really, however I guess they shouldn't assume that people will use common sense/or best judgment 100% of the time...
Married, September 23, 2006