‘Dangled’ toddler falls into Cleveland zoo’s cheetah enclosure

A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy has fallen into the cheetah enclosure at a zoo after his mother allegedly dangled him over the railing.

13042015cheetah

A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy has fallen into the cheetah exhibit at a US zoo after allegedly being dangled over the railing by his mother.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has served a summons and plans to file charges on Monday against the boy’s mother for endangering the child’s welfare, Fox News reports.

“You just hear these screams and all you could see was the adult jump in and grab the kid,” an eyewitness told Fox8 Cleveland.

“The adult that jumped in, got the kid, and then somebody pulled him out — it was a heavier-set guy — pulled him out with the kid,” he added.

Speaking to the media after the incident, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo executive director Dr Christopher Kuhar said: “Unfortunately we have a number of eyewitnesses’ accounts that point to the strong likelihood the child was dangled over the railing.”

Charges planned ... Cleveland Metroparks Zoo executive director Dr Christopher Kuhar says eyewitness accounts point to the child being ‘dangled’ over the railing. Picture: Fox8

The boy is reported to have suffered a leg injury, incurred by the fall. No attempt was made by the animals to interact with the child or his parents at any time, according to Dr Kuhar.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animal, have claws that never fully retract and are capable of climbing trees.

Safety precaution ... the cheetah exhibit was closed immediately following the incident. Picture: Fox8

The exhibit was closed immediately following the incident and the toddler transported to MetroHealth Medical Centre, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.

‘Screaming’ ... an eyewitness gives an account of the boy’s rescue from the cheetah enclosure. Picture: Fox8