Mum of boy who fell into gorilla zoo enclosure blasts critics saying 'accidents happen'

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[traumer]

The mother of the boy who fell into a gorilla enclosure has said that "accidents happen" on a Facebook post hitting out at critics.

The endangered animal was shot dead by zoo staff to protect the four-year-old after it began dragging him around.

Michelle Gregg has faced criticism for social media users and animal rights campaigners, who claim she should have been keeping a closer eye on her child.

Some animal lovers even suggested she should have been shot and killed instead of the gorilla Harambe.

Responding to the criticism on Facebook, she said: "I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers today. What started off as a wonderful day turned into a scary one.

"For those of you that have seen the news or been on social media that was my son that fell in the gorilla exhibit at the zoo. God protected my child until the authorities were able to get to him.

[DouglasKC]

I can’t believe the idiots who criticize the zoo for valuing a human life above a gorillas.

[grania]

FWIW, the pictures on TV looked like the gorilla was trying to protect the boy from the screaming maniacs on the other side of the barrier.

This seems to be a case of the total incompetence that permeates everything. The enclosure should not have been so accessible, and if they didn't want to fix it, there should have been a zoo employee supervising it. The "crisis management team" should have been able to manage the crisis. The only innocent in this is the gorilla, which never harmed the boy.

I hope that zoo loses its gorillas to a more responsible and well-managed option.

[sunrise_sunset]

You just saw part of the video. The gorilla started dragging the boy around.

It’s sad, but the zoo had no choice.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Mum of boy who fell into gorilla zoo enclosure blasts critics saying 'accidents happen'

'Accidents happen'? How many millions of people have brought children to zoos through the decades without having one climb into an animal enclosure? The killing of the gorilla was necessary, but it was also a thing that could have been prevented by this woman keeping an eye on her child.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

The lady needs to shut up...
Accidents happen when people are not paying attention and she was not paying attention...
the kid said he wanted to go into the water the mom said no...anybody who has had a three year old when he makes a statement like that is his reaction going to be ...mommy says no...so i won’t...or will his little sense of rebellion kick in and say..oh yeah I think i will...
while i understand the zoo did what it had too... I also hope the woman takes responsibibility for her kid which obviously she is not doing...

[Vermont Lt]

I think most people agree that the animal’s life should be valued above that of the animal. What I feel is that it was a preventable situation. That animal should be alive today.

People bring their children to that zoo every day. What “accident” happened that day that hasn’t happened many other days. The world is full of precocious four year olds. I know, I had two of them.

If you know your kid is a handful, you hold their hands. You don’t let them run lose near wild animals.

[bigbob]

The MOM should keep mum.

[savedbygrace]

You have drawn faulty conclusions based on inadequate research on this event.

[ichabod1]

This woman looking for a large paycheck. She’ll need it for the therpists.

[r_barton]

The zoo needs to modify its exhibits so idiots or their stupid children can’t fall in. Add 8 foot clear panels that can’t be climbed. If you are going to cage up animals, at least protect them from fools.

[Rusty0604]

Some are saying the zoo is racist because the were protecting a white boy against a bla k gorilla.

[sakic]

“Precocious”?

Just the opposite.

[grania]

I don’t think so. That gorilla is supposed to be protected by the zoo.

[traumer]

[jospehm20]

Accidents happen more often to idiots.

[Bob]

Some are saying the zoo is racist because the were protecting a white boy against a black gorilla.

While it's difficult to tell from the photos in the article, I've seen reports elsewhere that the boy was black rather than white.

[miss marmelstein]

When the guy who shot that goddamned lion last year, I got rid of every animal fanatic Facebook ‘friend’ I had. I was sick of the hate, which spilled over into anti-Americanism, the ludicrous petitions like: ‘Please sign to stop toenail clippings of poodles.’ I loathe animal rights people and I’m starting to loathe animal lovers in general. Grow up, people!

[changeitback440]

actually....... people need to put their little beasts on a leash

[Mjreagan]

So these idiots are actually equating blacks with gorillas....all liberals are racists.