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Maddox Derkosh, 2, was killed by a pack of wild dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo after falling into the exhibit on Nov. 4. The autopsy on his body revealed he bled to death from the attack — so sad.

Maddox Derkosh, 2, tragically fell into the African painted dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo on Nov. 4, where he was viscously mauled to death in front of horrified onlookers. An autopsy confirms he died due to blood loss from the attack. Police and officials at the zoo are continuing the investigation into the toddler’s death, after he fell 14 feet from the barrier and into the exhibit where 11 dogs attacked him.

Witnesses say the boy fell onto a safety net designed to catch falling objects, but bounced out due to his small size.

“Very unfortunately, in this situation, the dogs were doing what the dogs would normally do,” zoo president Dr. Barbara Baker said during a press conference from the Pittsburgh Zoo on Nov. 5. “The question came to us of course immediately, ‘Why didn’t staff go in?’” she added, “it was too dangerous.”

The zoo closed on Nov. 4 following the attack, but reopened Nov. 6.

“The hardest part is going to be to explain to my kids that their playmate is no longer here,” family friend Rachel Majcher, 33, told TribLive.com. “His life will be celebrated.”

Maddox’s funeral will be held on Nov. 9, and his parents are asking for donations of toy construction trucks in the boy’s name to be given to a Christmas children’s charity.

Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with Maddox’s family during this difficult time.

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3. Three-Year-Old Mauled By Wild Dogs In Australia — And Survives!