By Luke Thomas

May 9, 2008

The San Francisco City Attorney’s office today denied claims seeking unlimited financial damages by two victims of a tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas Day.

“An investigation of your client’s claim filed with the City and County of San Francisco has revealed no indication of liability on the part of the City and County,” Joe Abad, an adjuster with the City Attorney’s Office wrote in two letters dated May 8 to law firm Geragos and Geragos. “Accordingly, your claim has been DENIED.”

Claimants Amritpal Dhaliwal, 19, and Kulbir Dhaliwal, 24, were attacked by a Siberian tigress that managed to escape its grotto December 25, fatally mauling Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, and injuring the Dhaliwals before being shot dead by police.

An investigation following the attack revealed the height of the tiger grotto’s moat wall was below national standards. The zoo subsequently rectified the safety deficiency and reopened the zoo following its two-month closure.

The City Attorney has referred claimants to take up their claims with the San Francisco Zoo Society and its insurer.

Documents obtained by Fog City Journal reveal the San Francisco Zoo Society insurance policy is underwritten by a consortium of underwriters. The policy provides upto $15 million for “excess/umbrella liability.”