African Painted Dogs Attack Boy to Death at Pittsburgh Zoo After Fallin Over The Rail

A 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of African painted dogs Sunday at a Pittsburgh zoo after he fell off a railing.

Following the tragedy, the zoo was closed and will remain shut during the time of investigation.

The zoo officials announced the news via Twitter. "With heavy hearts we report a tragic accident occurred today when a young child fell into the African painted dog exhibit area & was killed," zoo officials tweeted.

The officials also said both police and zoo authorities are probing into the tragic incident. "The accident is under investigation by both the Zoo and the Pittsburgh Police Department. The Zoo will remain closed until further notice," they tweeted.

It's still unclear whether boy died after falling from 11-feet into the African painted dog exhibit area or by attack.

The child was with his mother visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. He fell about 11 feet off a railing that his mother had put him on top of to view the animals, police said, according to NBC News.

According to local news reports, the slain toddler was attacked by wild dogs as soon as he fell into exhibit area. He was attacked by at least 11 dogs.

The zoo authorities sought to move the dogs into an off-beat area. "Many of the 11 dogs in the exhibit moved away immediately, and several others were scared away from the child by the zookeepers. A remaining dog would not leave the child, and a Pittsburgh police officer shot the animal," the news website reported.

African painted dog is also known as African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf. This animal category is classified as endangered. They all live in groups and also hunt in packs.