May 29, 2009 - Suit Over Tiger Attack Reportedly Settled

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Two brothers mauled by an escaped Siberian tiger are reportedly to receive $900,000 in a settlement with the San Francisco Zoo.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing sources familiar with the case, said lawyers for the zoo and Kulbir and Amritpal "Paul" Dhaliwal concluded the agreement Thursday. The settlement covers all claims the brothers, now 20 and 25, had against the San Francisco Zoological Society, the city and a public relations consultant hired after the attack.

The brothers and a friend, Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, of San Jose, were visiting the zoo on Christmas Day 2007 when the tiger, named Tatiana, escaped from its enclosure. Sousa, whose family has settled with the zoo, was fatally injured, and the two brothers were mauled.

Lawyers for the brothers said the tiger enclosure had a wall significantly lower than the height recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.