Zoo Will Remove Painted Dogs Observation Platform
'Out of respect for the community and for the Derkosh family, the observation platform of the exhibit at issue would be removed.' - Mike Manko, district attorney's office
The observation platform at the Pittsburgh Zoo from which 2-year-old Maddox Derkosh of Whitehall Borough fell to his death in the African painted dogs exhibit will be removed, according to a spokesman at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
"In an effort to facilitate the ongoing review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Maddox Derkosh at the Pittsburgh Zoo, District Attorney (Stephen A.) Zappala (Jr.) met this morning with Dr. Barbara Baker and the City of Pittsburgh police officers who responded to the scene," said spokesman Mike Manko in an email to reporters.
"The meeting, which lasted approximately two hours, included a walk-through of the exhibit and was a productive step towards ensuring that this tragedy will not reoccur in the future," Manko said.
"To that end, Dr. Baker advised the district attorney that, out of respect for the community and for the Derkosh family, the observation platform of the exhibit at issue would be removed."
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