ye we are in a litigious culture

the 'not so swift' must be protected from themself at all costs

that is why peanut companies put warnings on their packages that it contains PEANUTS, and is dangerous for those with peanut allergies

and why toilet stalls place precautions that you are not meant to STAND on the seat

or why vending machines have warnings not to TILT them,,,

it is true, , liability does get extended beyond those making unwise choices, to the products they make unwise choices with, and the locations they make unwise choices in

its the times we live in

i wouldnt be surprised if the zoo settled,,,although no price will bring back that child it may alleviate some of the parents sense of responsibility for the incident

maybe this is why there is a debate, personally I think the 'not so swift' shouldn't be protected at all, natural selection, i think we are interfering with it. But maybe i'm just an unsympathetic a-hole, but that's my feelings, I was raised that their was consequences for doing something stupid, If I jumped off a roof and broke my leg, my parents didn't go and put railings on the roof, or make it impossible for me to climb up their again, I made a choice, I paid a consequence. Granted losing a child is a severe consequence but it resulted from a poor choice.

I personally don't believe money should be awarded on lawsuits, but heavy fines and forfeitures should be imposed.

People who violate the public trust by action or inaction, abuse or neglect to safety, that harms someone seeking the offerings or products they profit from, should lose their freedoms and abilities to persist in performing said service or action again in the future.

Corporations pay because they can afford to, and will be allowed to continue their neglect to profit even further. When you are making billions by dumping harmful waste and are only fined a few thousand dollars when caught doing so and allowed to continue by bribing....er uh...lobbying.... a few judges or politicians, there is indeed a problem in the culture!

Greed is a powerful character flaw and sadly it is not limited to the only the guilty party, but most (some still do have morals and seek only justice) victims as well.

Instead of lawsuits there should be criminal trials. That would solve a lot of the BS just by taking money (other than support for medical injury or expense) out of the equation.

So if she held her child over the edge of the Grand Canyon, slipped, and dropped him in, would she sue God for making it, the Parks Department for letting her into the park, or go to jail for child endangerment?

Some risks you must claim as your own. Man did not create nature, they do however destroy it with ease.

I think she would go to jail.

In that case it may be justified because that instance has a known element of risk from the fall. You would "expect" the childs demise in that scenario.

Sane people don't dangle their child over a cliff, but it is not uncommon for a parent to lift a child for a better view.

I THINK THE MOTHER HAS ALREADY GOT A LIFE SENTENCE...BEING WITH OUT HER CHILD AND KNOWING IT IS HER FAULT. HONESTLY, I DO NOT THINK THEY SHOULD DO ANYTHING TO HER...HER HEART HAS TO ALREADY BE BROKE. I KNOW IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME, I WOULD WANT TO DIE WITHOUT MY CHILD!!!
I JUST THINK THAT THERE IS NO LOVE LIKE A MOTHER'S LOVE..SO I THINK THAT MEN JUST DON'T GET IT!!!!

Curiosity and not aggression likely led to the killing.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/11/121105-african-wild-dogs-pittsburgh-zoo-animals-science/


The reports that I have seen from various news agencies is that the mother had stood him on the railing for a better view and he lost his balance. (in some reports almost immediately lost balance).

These railings are there for a reason....and that isn't to sit, stand on for a better view.

Here is the official complaint filed by Jason and Elizabeth Derkosh against the Pittsburg Zoo & PPG Aquarium and the Zoological Society of Pittsburg...It contains a lot of info and pictures, but fair warning, it's 39 pages long...Toward the end of the complaint, there are several pictures of Painted Dog exhibits at various zoos throughout the country...It's an interesting read....

http://www.smbb.com/media/125124/1-timestamped-complaint-052313-mcs.pdf

I haven't been reading this whole thread.

One question.

Has the woman acknowledged any responsibility in the death of the child?

That's a good question....I certainly hope so, but I don't know... ...Even if she does, probably won't hear about it unless she made public statement(s) before the suit was filed...I imagine she and hubby are being "coached" now....

Go to Detroit and se them for free.

I someone there had a gun, they might have saved the boy.

Course, that would ruin the dog exhibit.

Them's some purty doggies.

Wish I had a couple. There's some neighborhood teens I'd like to have over for lunch.