Pittsburgh police, zookeepers training to handle 'dangerous animal' incidents

Pittsburgh police would continue training Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium employees to use firearms in cases where an animal poses a danger to the public under legislation introduced Tuesday in City Council.

Zoo staff, in turn, would school police on animal behavior and the zoo's layout to improve emergency response and learn from a deadly incident in 2012 when a toddler was mauled when he fell into an African painted dog exhibit.

Zoo spokeswoman Tracy Gray said staff and the zoo's emergency weapons team have trained with city police for five years, and the agreement formalizes the arrangement for three more years.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Stephen A. Bucar said police officers and zoo workers went through training immediately after the incident Nov. 4, 2012, when 2-year-old Maddox Derkosh was killed. Bucar said police don't carry weaponry needed to bring down a large animal in the event of a similar incident. They don't know enough about animal behavior to shoot an animal, he said.

“(Police) aren't going to allow an animal to escape the zoo,” Bucar said. “Some of the training may prevent a police officer from having to destroy an animal that they perceive as posing a threat, but really isn't.”

Zoo personnel, who have access to firearms, must assume that responsibility and rely on police as back-up, said Deputy Public Safety Director Michael Huss.

“The zoo can't look to us to handle a dangerous animal that's on the loose,” Huss said.

Police would train zoo staff in firearms handling and police procedures.

The zoo would pay for the firearms training, likely at the police training academy in Highland Park, and provide training to police at no cost to the city, Bucar said.

He said officers aren't typically familiar with the zoo grounds, and training would help them respond faster to incidents inside the facility. As an example, he said, the zoo has multiple entrances. Officers would learn which ones are best.

“If there's an incident, we should respond in a coordinated effort with the zoo rather than going in there blind,” he said.

Gray said the zoo has “well-established policies and procedures” approved by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for proper handling of dangerous animal situations. She said all personnel are trained in safety and emergency response, and participate in practice drills several times a year.

“We appreciate the city of Pittsburgh offering their facilities to the zoo's weapons team to train,” Gray said in an email.

Derkosh slipped from his mother's grasp and fell into the African painted dog exhibit after she lifted him to get a better view. Officers shot one of 11 dogs that attacked the boy.

The zoo subsequently closed the exhibit and relocated the dogs. The Derkosh family last year settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the zoo. Details were not disclosed because of a confidentiality agreement. Robert Mongeluzzi, an attorney who represented the family, declined comment.

Derkosh's death was the only visitor fatality in the zoo's 117-year history.

Bob Bauder is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-765-2312 or bbauder@tribweb.com.