General Discussion

kcr

(15,522 posts)

95. 4 foot is a common height for a railing.

Fri Sep 13, 2013, 02:29 PM

Sep 2013

3.5 is the OSHA standard. Besides, there was a layered effect. The fact there was a significant drop was another deterrent. It's not as if these dogs could come right up to the 4 ft railing. And no one tripped. It was a deliberate negligent act. I'm sorry, but as tragic as this was, it would be an ultimate tragedy to go back to the days of small cages. Better to just close the zoos down. And all because of idiots who ignore signs.

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Zoo: Boy's mauling death is mom's fault (she lifted him to railing for better look at wild dogs) [View all] Liberal_in_LA Sep 2013 OP

The zoo has a point. nt geek tragedy Sep 2013 #1

Attorney is saying zoo should have known parents would hold children up for better look Liberal_in_LA Sep 2013 #2

How much is the zoo supposed to protect people from their own stupidity? geek tragedy Sep 2013 #3

image of how she stood kids on railings, also photo of railings, slanted so parents won't do that Liberal_in_LA Sep 2013 #12

The computer-generated image at the top is incredibly deceptive magical thyme Sep 2013 #73

the zoo had signs up not to climb or sit or stand on the railing. magical thyme Sep 2013 #72

Except that the railings liberalhistorian Sep 2013 #31

The protection was more than adequate NickB79 Sep 2013 #47

That's the conclusory language plaintiffs will use. geek tragedy Sep 2013 #49

Just about everthing in life has a 'typical standard of care' attached to it. wercal Sep 2013 #79

The zoo is correct. scheming daemons Sep 2013 #4

Correct. greytdemocrat Sep 2013 #6

Absolutely agree with you. When this happened, I heard the arguments that "everyone else does it" livetohike Sep 2013 #7

I've never been there Politicalboi Sep 2013 #20

She is disputing that she put him on the top of liberalhistorian Sep 2013 #32

Pull up the statements from the police report NickB79 Sep 2013 #45

I hate to sound cold, but I STRONGLY suspect that this is exactly what happened. anneboleyn Sep 2013 #110

Exactly. Furthermore, there is no way that her toddler "lunged" over that railing magical thyme Sep 2013 #117

This seems to be a dispute over the facts of the case, which likely will merit a trial. n/t PoliticAverse Sep 2013 #5

pegging the b.s. meter leftyohiolib Sep 2013 #8

The railing is about 3.5 to 4 feet high..... scheming daemons Sep 2013 #11

maybe the railing should be high enough people can't fall in. liberal_at_heart Sep 2013 #21

A) You have to see over it... and B) Maybe we shouldn't worry about protecting people from their own scheming daemons Sep 2013 #22

This would be a case of protecting a child from someone else's negligence. n/t PoliticAverse Sep 2013 #23

then maybe they should redesign the exhibit. The truth is both are responsible. She shouldn't have liberal_at_heart Sep 2013 #25

you're wrong, they are not both responsible the mother is. the zoo put up barriers she tried to get leftyohiolib Sep 2013 #29

I disagree. The railings were sufficient. Warpy Sep 2013 #82

The zoo did have barriers to protect the public. Everybody avebury Sep 2013 #108

a 4' high railing is high enough to not fall over magical thyme Sep 2013 #74

A typical railing for a drop off over 42" is ....42" wercal Sep 2013 #81

Nobody fell in. The child was dropped in. Mariana Sep 2013 #99

A two-year-old did not just "fall in." He was lifted up according to witnesses anneboleyn Sep 2013 #111

Better grasp? Really? liberalhistorian Sep 2013 #34

Kids dying makes people have pretty strong emotions. kcr Sep 2013 #35

no she shouldnt have put her child up there leftyohiolib Sep 2013 #37

Why the lawsuit? LiberalAndProud Sep 2013 #58

Which is all the more reason she shouldn't have done it. Xithras Sep 2013 #62

I've got a pretty good idea... Bay Boy Sep 2013 #83

By Suing The Zoo RobinA Sep 2013 #92

Have you had kids? I have. Sissyk Sep 2013 #96

One more case of shitty parent blaming others for the outcome. we can do it Sep 2013 #9

Ask any retailer or teacher Link Speed Sep 2013 #104

I think the zoo has a good point. HappyMe Sep 2013 #10

Agree with the Zoo. idwiyo Sep 2013 #13

There was a similar tragedy years ago in New Orleans. madaboutharry Sep 2013 #14

What was the outcome of that situation (any legal actions)? n/t PoliticAverse Sep 2013 #59

people are so stupid around wild animals VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #85

I feel awful for the mom eissa Sep 2013 #15

In the article it states court of public opinion is against the zoo kcr Sep 2013 #16

Perhps people should be Politicalboi Sep 2013 #18

+1 000 000 000 kestrel91316 Sep 2013 #44

The "court of public opinion" only sees one thing HolyMoley Sep 2013 #78

Yes. Law vs. emotion and mob rule anneboleyn Sep 2013 #112

I could not hold the zoo MFM008 Sep 2013 #17

She wanted her child to interact with wild dogs?? REP Sep 2013 #19

This reminds me of a boy who was killed by a crocodile RebelOne Sep 2013 #24

Just to ask a new question - how much experience is there with this type of exhibit design hedgehog Sep 2013 #26

Several years ago, a gorilla escaped from the zoo in Boston Tanuki Sep 2013 #38

I believe she'll be allowed to sue... TeeYiYi Sep 2013 #61

I don't know. kcr Sep 2013 #67

It sounds like it was either a 10 foot or 14 foot separation from the dogs. noamnety Sep 2013 #71

The 4' fence also had a 10'+ drop to the inside magical thyme Sep 2013 #76

Exactly. She situated a two year old over a long drop AND wild animals anneboleyn Sep 2013 #113

She held him over African dogs? SMH LittleBlue Sep 2013 #27

pic of african dogs Liberal_in_LA Sep 2013 #39

Yikes! I would NOT liberalhistorian Sep 2013 #88

a zoo in albq, i put my little one on the rail, wrapped both arms around and hug him against my body seabeyond Sep 2013 #28

I agree with the zoo. nt Raine Sep 2013 #30

Sometimes when my kids were that age or even a little older deutsey Sep 2013 #33

"Feet on the ground" aikoaiko Sep 2013 #36

+1 -- it's a simple rule that avoids all kinds of problems. n/t X_Digger Sep 2013 #42

Does anyone actually blame the mother for pursuing this? Orrex Sep 2013 #40

She is suing the zoo because she does not avebury Sep 2013 #46

She is hardly unusual in any of that Orrex Sep 2013 #52

Yes. Great points. anneboleyn Sep 2013 #115

yes. i would take responsibility for it. no, i would not go after the zoo. would not even be a seabeyond Sep 2013 #48

I believe you. Orrex Sep 2013 #53

Her case is still rubbish. geek tragedy Sep 2013 #50

Obviously, I would say. Orrex Sep 2013 #54

I can completely understand the lawsuit on a geek tragedy Sep 2013 #55

Again I agree completely (nt) Orrex Sep 2013 #64

*Raises hand.* Her lawyer's argument seems to be: All exhibits should function the exact same way. WinkyDink Sep 2013 #56

Well, he's an asshole and a parasite. Orrex Sep 2013 #65

I agree with you for the most part ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2013 #63

Also true (nt) Orrex Sep 2013 #66

I don't blame the mother for pursuing it kcr Sep 2013 #68

I do. Her child is dead because of her stupidity. Nye Bevan Sep 2013 #70

Then blame everyone who does exactly the same thing Orrex Sep 2013 #89

I do. I don't think the public should have to suffer by having their zoo defunded because this... JVS Sep 2013 #84

I think you understate the magnitude of her suffering Orrex Sep 2013 #90

"And I equally think that the zoo was never in any real danger of being defunded."q JVS Sep 2013 #91

The zoo was never in any real danger of being defunded Orrex Sep 2013 #93

Did the open mocking start because of the incident - Ms. Toad Sep 2013 #107

The very first threads I could find about it on DU attacked the mother Orrex Sep 2013 #116

Terrible tragedy. Bad decision by a parent... TeeYiYi Sep 2013 #41

Zoo 1, Mom 0. *bang* Next case, please. TheCowsCameHome Sep 2013 #43

yep. nt bunnies Sep 2013 #51

I agree with the zoo, mom is at fault. Shrike47 Sep 2013 #57

how tragic. even without the dogs, that's quite a dangerous high drop to risk Sunlei Sep 2013 #60

So. She picked up her kid and dropped him over the fence into the wild dog enclosure. Nye Bevan Sep 2013 #69

In lighter news--this rabbit was thrown in a tiger cage and got away. gvstn Sep 2013 #75

I gotta go with the zoo on this one. Unrepentant Fenian Sep 2013 #77

Yep, justice denied HolyMoley Sep 2013 #80

i blame Darwin. nt FreeJoe Sep 2013 #86

I usually am the first to talk about personal accountability... Monster_Mash Sep 2013 #87

4 foot is a common height for a railing. kcr Sep 2013 #95

Winning a bad lawsuit will not remove the mother's responsibility for the death of her child TeamPooka Sep 2013 #94

I will not join in the gang-pummeling of this mother. Sheldon Cooper Sep 2013 #97

This is the problem with thinking the zoo needs to "take a closer look" kcr Sep 2013 #98

It is her son who paid the "horrible, hideous price." Let's be clear on that. And the mother isn't WinkyDink Sep 2013 #100

It pays to read - They were warned on several occasions by zoo employees Iris Sep 2013 #103

I agree with the zoo Yo_Mama Sep 2013 #101

This mother should be charged with criminal negligence and sent to jail. darkangel218 Sep 2013 #102

Just my opinion YarnAddict Sep 2013 #105

I disagree. Even in they settle for $1 and report it as avebury Sep 2013 #106

It absolutely is her fault YarnAddict Sep 2013 #109

Mom needs to accept that she made a tragic error. The zoo did not. TwilightGardener Sep 2013 #114