By Fanny Dassie

February 27, 2009

U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup said yesterday the trial in the case of Dhaliwal vs. San Francisco Zoological Society would begin January 11, 2010 unless lawyers are able to reach a pretrial settlement.

The case refers to the December 25, 2007 escape of a Siberian tiger from its habitat at the San Francisco Zoo that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr. and left brothers Amritpal and Kulbir Dhaliwal severely wounded.

The Souza family have settled their case with the zoo. Details of that settlement remain undisclosed.

The San Francisco Zoological Society, per its operations agreement with the City and County of San Francisco, carries a $15 million per incident liability insurance policy.

The Dhaliwals, represented by Geragos & Geragos attorney Shelley Kaufman, are claiming zoo negligence as well as civil rights violations and slander by San Francisco Zoo public relations consultant, Sam Singer.

Kaufman, attorney John Christian, representing the City and County of San Francisco, and Charles Custer, representing the San Francisco Zoological Society and Singer – asked for more time to settle the case.

“If you think I’ll give you more time because you are on the verge of a settlement, you are wrong,” an irritated Judge Alsup said, pointing out that the case had been filed more than 100 days ago.

Custer explained both parties needed more time to reach a settlement but are willing to “continue to make efforts.”

Alsup, who first suggested December 7, 2009 for trial, referred the case to Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman for mediation.

Following the case management conference, all attorneys declined to comment on the preliminary status of the case.

Luke Thomas contributed to this report.