San Francisco denies claims filed by tiger attack victims
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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco officials say an investigation has found there is no indication the city is liable for injuries suffered by two brothers who were attacked by an escaped zoo tiger.

In a letter released Friday, City Attorney Dennis Herrera denies claims for monetary compensation "for serious physical and emotional issues" filed by Kulbir and Paul Dhaliwal. The brothers were attacked by a Siberian tiger on Christmas Day after it escaped its pen. The tiger killed the Dhaliwal's 17-year-old friend before being shot by police.

Herrera says the claims should be referred the San Francisco Zoological Society, which manages the zoo, and the society's insurance company.

The claims are a precursor to a lawsuit, which Mark Geragos, an attorney for the Dhaliwals, says he expects to file shortly.

"It's what I expected," he said of the city's denial of the claim. "It just enables us to now file the lawsuit."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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2:38 PM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "San Francisco denies claims filed by tiger attack victims"

Mummy A said:
PETA needs to bomb their (occupied) house.

1 agree | 0 disagree
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2:33 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Brothers attacked by tiger allege negligence, defamation"

Examiner Reader said:
The character of these individuals doesn't even come into play. The animal should not have been able to escape, it did: game over. Cha-Ching $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

2 agree | 0 disagree
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2:14 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Brothers attacked by tiger allege negligence, defamation"

MateoKid said:
i know the fact that these idiots might get paid possibly millions of dollars can rub some of you the wrong way - it certainly does me - , but there's just no way to argue against the fact that the tigers should not have been able to escape. that said, just knowing that these drunk, shoplifting, doped up troublemakers might never have to work in their lives because of their jackassery makes me want to gouge my eyes out. you know to these guys "it was all worth it." you know what i mean...

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
12:57 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "SF Police Suspend Tiger Attack Probe"

Goo Reader said:
When's the movie coming out? I'm sure some idiot will make one.

46 agree | 55 disagree
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11:42 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "SF Police Suspend Tiger Attack Probe"

Examiner Reader said:
only in calif. another o j deal

47 agree | 51 disagree
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4:23 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008 re: "Taunting a Factor in Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
i think they got what was comming 2 them

66 agree | 67 disagree
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1:25 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 24, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Judge Dredd said:
Yak Boy: You wish being on the jury? Why? Would it make a difference? I'll name you 3 famous criminals who got away with the crime courtesy of just one stupid juror. 1) O.J. Simpson. 2) Robert Blake 3) Phil Spector. All it takes is one stupid juror to dismiss the case due to mistrial. Instead of the unanimous vote - the plurality vote of the entire jury should prevail in the American Justice System. If the vote is 6-6 (tie) then the judge gets to vote for the tie-breaker. There are 12 jurors, if 11 says guilty and only 1 stupid juror says not guilty - then it is an automatic mistrial. This is always the case with celebrity criminals - such that they get away with murder. If you are a juror on this tiger-mauling case, which way would you vote?

65 agree | 44 disagree
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12:29 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "Police: Victim Drunk During Tiger Attack"

McLovin said:
Please pray for all famlies involved.

64 agree | 63 disagree
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12:26 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "Police: Victim Drunk During Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
Very sad incident.

68 agree | 60 disagree
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12:07 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "Police: Victim Drunk During Tiger Attack"

McLovin said:
Children, please do not harass animals....key word "animals". Unfortunately, hard lesson learned.

76 agree | 52 disagree
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11:11 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Taunting a Factor in Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
be nice if that cat could have drug all three into the moat and killed them.then there wouldn't be any contraversy about the height of the damn wall.

64 agree | 81 disagree
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6:14 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Yak Boy said:
Oh how I wish I was on the jury!!

59 agree | 58 disagree
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7:42 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 21, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Examiner Reader said:
Inspector Valerie Matthews wrote that the victim's taunting was a factor to the escape in the following words: 'this factor(the taunting) contributed to the tiger escaping from its enclosure and attacking the victims'. As a retired law enforcement investigator allow me to point out to Ms. Matthews that taunting may well have been a factor in the tiger's choice of victims; however, the 'taunting" was not a factor in the escape itself. The primary escape factor was a wall that was too low.... which allowed the tiger to reach the public. Legal statements need to be very accurate.

71 agree | 57 disagree
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4:21 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 21, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Examiner Reader said:
All of the comments seem to refer to the boys drug/alcohol use...even the familes financial status(what that has to do with it I don't know) but what if these young men were not intoxicated at all still their fault right. Our family has been going to the zoo for many years and have seen kids and adults behave improperly...should the animals have rights to attack them Give me a break

53 agree | 65 disagree
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3:07 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 21, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim acknowledged drinking, some taunting"

Prodigy Of Stupidity said:
While other youngsters strive for excellence, others strive to be popular by doping, drinking and committing irresponsible actions. Do you think these punks excel in school? Do you think these rich kids excel in any worthwhile endeavors? If Carlos Sousa, Jr. had survived the tiger attack - at age 17 - he would have been the youngest CEO of Microsoft... (Yeah, right!)

67 agree | 64 disagree
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1:43 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 21, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim acknowledged drinking, some taunting"

Mosquito-Killer said:
Examiner Reader 9:04 PM MST said "You all should be looking at we as humans have done by keeping those animals in terrible unnatural living conditions." Why? - do you want to blame humankind for building zoos and wildlife sanctuaries? the reason why humans have bred the bengal tiger in captivity is because of its endangered nature. Then you said "People for years young and old have misbehaved while visiting the animals-should the tiger have killed all of those visitos too." Since all of zoo history, I have never known of any animal taunting/provoking worse than what the drugged & drunk men did. These were young men who feel superior because of their parent's money and power. If these punks would taunt and threaten me in a dark street corner - I'd also be willing to take their librd rather than these intoxicated bullies take mine. These punks/bullies should be held accountable for their stupid actions.

71 agree | 63 disagree
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9:04 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 20, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Examiner Reader said:
I am a animal lover myself and I think the boys were very wrong to taunt the tiger BUT I can not believe the city,zoo,people of this city would actually blame those boys for the fatality.People for years young and old have misbehaved while visiting the animals-should the tiger have killed all of those visitos too. You all should be looking at we as humans have done by keeping those animals in terrible unnatural living conditions. The liability is with the zoo and the city. The zoo should secure a safe environment. Shame on the city,zoo, and the media for blaming those boys!!!!!!!!!!!!

61 agree | 81 disagree
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8:06 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 19, 2008 re: "Ex-worker: SF Zoo ignored complaints after keeper attacked"

Examiner Reader said:
Lloyd Kraal has a history of suing former employers. He is not credible and was probably sought out by Geragos to discredit the San Francisco Zoo.

56 agree | 65 disagree
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2:51 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 19, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim acknowledged drinking, some taunting"

Roy said:
On second thought, the Zoo should have had a higher enclosure so that people can safely throw rocks and pinecones at their animals without getting mauled.

71 agree | 56 disagree
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2:45 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 19, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim acknowledged drinking, some taunting"

Roy said:
The Zoo should be suing both families for the loss of their animal.

66 agree | 66 disagree
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7:36 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Taunting a Factor in Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
He who sticks his hand in a hollow log ought not blame the creature that lives within when it bites him.

60 agree | 62 disagree
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5:31 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Animal Instinct said:
I agree 100% with the comment below. It is called animal instinct. Even human beings - when provoked and threatened would instinctively attack and fight for survival. Anyone above 10 years old who does not understand animal instinct - is a complete moron. If I am provoked and threatened by three punks (who feel superior because of their money and power) on a dark street corner - I would also be on offense mode and fight for my life.

69 agree | 50 disagree
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5:04 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Zoo Attack Victims' Car, Phones Searched"

Sue Me said:
My father was a tiger trainer for over 20 years, so being around my father and with tigers for a long time gave me concrete facts about these animals. This tiger - Tatiana was born in captivity and was used to being around human beings who feed her, take care of her - and this means that since birth, this tiger has not hunted for food. She has not acted like being a normal predator. Just like all captivity-born tigers in our home, they've never hunted for food. If Tatiana was well-fed and cared of, there is no reason for her to attack - unless extremely provoked. We have three tigers in our domain and when I was young I used to taunt them by shouting, throwing sticks and stones into their heads. They'd give me a scary look once in a while but mostly they just ignore me - thinking they've already eaten a whole pig and that I won't fit into their tummies anymore. These drunken, drugged, rich punk kids must have done something extra-ordinary to provoke the tiger into attack mode.

72 agree | 66 disagree
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4:14 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Examiner Reader said:
The only victim in this incident was the tiger. It was simply reacting based on its natural instinct. Those boys went there high on marijuana and drinking-you can bet they had this in mind when they entered the zoo. Too bad the tiger had to be shot.

62 agree | 31 disagree
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4:14 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police believe San Francisco zoo mauling victims provoked tiger"

Examiner Reader said:
The only victim in this incident was the tiger. It was simply reacting based on its natural instinct. Those boys went there high on marijuana and drinking-you can bet they had this in mind when they entered the zoo. Too bad the tiger had to be shot.

61 agree | 52 disagree
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2:23 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim acknowledged drinking, some taunting"

Concerned Texan said:
From my point of view the people involved in this should not profit for being and acting stupid. Getting high, drunk, and abusively taunting an animal goes way beyond the "prudent man rule". On the other hand the Zoo has some culpability. My suggestion - give the family of the victim $100,000. That's it, no more! Covers burial and other expenses. Cover the medical expenses of the other two, that is it! Fire the administrators and Directors of the Zoo immediately in favor of people that will run the instituition correctly.

74 agree | 60 disagree
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2:01 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police: Victim Drunk During Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
No doubt about it. The three punks are last minute nominees for the 2007 Darwin Awards.

70 agree | 73 disagree
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1:08 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police: Victim Drunk During Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
This ends the topic/ conversation.

76 agree | 39 disagree
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12:16 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police search San Francisco tiger attack victims' phones, car"

Examiner Reader said:
I'm amazed by the ramifications in this story, and the facts that seem to point to the shallow-mindedness our culture continues to perpetuate. For years now we have had a "blame the victim" mentality, but this is bizarre! Check the comments on this story, and who agrees or disagrees with them. Almost 90% of readers, analysts, and the government feel that the victims in this attack are responsible for what happened to them. When I was 25 I was drunk and walking home. Suddenly two guys jumped me and beat me into a coma. When I was able, I tried to press charges, but the DA felt that by having been out drinking, I had provoked my beating. The implication was that I had deserved it. These kids went to the zoo, shouted at a tiger who wasn't enclosed. If it could leap the wall, then it was not in an enclosure, regardless of the zoo's opinions. I don't think the victims deserve any blame, even if they had thrown stuff at the beast. One of them's dead, and the zoo feels victimized?Sick!W

96 agree | 81 disagree
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10:53 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim admitted drinking, some taunting"

Examiner Reader said:
And it seems that if they hadn't done what they were doing no one would have died. All the zoo visitors over the years ... and no one was every attacked. FACE THE FACTS!~ Their actions contributed GREATLY to what happened ...

69 agree | 72 disagree
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10:10 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "Police: Tiger attack victim admitted drinking, some taunting"

Animal LOVER......... BUT GET REAL!!!! said:
Ok...so they were drinking, An HIGH, Ok....I have been both and I still know that a TIGER is a killer by nature. YEah...they were acting goofey An trying to get the tigers attention.. Well they got it all right and paid the Ultimate price!!! But the bottom line!!!!! A Zoo is a place where we are supposed to go and be able to take our children and feel safe. This animal should not have been able to get out NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!! An to me that is the bottom line!!! If the wall was taller the animal and the young man would still be alive!! An don't forget that this TIGER had already had a taste of HUMAN blood!!! These were kids..Yeah they should have known better...But still...it is a sad sad thing. On both sides!!! Both are to blame some what...So...the young men paid with being mauled and one lost a life...The tiger paid for being NORMAL.....Now it is time for the Zoo to pay the price as well for not being up to date on some kind of code for Wild animal up keep.......

57 agree | 61 disagree
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7:38 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 18, 2008 re: "S.F. Zoo Reopens After Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
The argument to blame the zoo is wrong. Having passed the battery of inspections year in and year out should offer validity as to the safety of the zoo. Certainly the officials did not help their cause by misrepresenting the height of the wall of the grotto. I think that it is unlikely that this was done with the intention of misleading the public. It is understood that places open to the public have the ultimate responsibility to reasonably protect its patrons. But to what extent? Shall we insist that all animals that are perceived deadly be caged? This would ultimately protect the public from its own behavior whether responsible or irresponsible. You cannot predict all behaviors, particularly drunken behavior and or behavior under the influence of drugs. This was a tragic incident caused by irresponsible behavior. Let this be a lesson about taking responsibility and accepting the consequences for your behavior, not profiting from it.

61 agree | 62 disagree
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12:07 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 17, 2008 re: "Ex-worker: SF Zoo ignored complaints after keeper attacked"

Michael Bakkie said:
Animals, domestic or otherwise, are not known to expend the energy needed to attack unless extremely hungry, scared, cornered or harassed. The family, rightly, is in denial because of such a tragic loss. The attorneys are another story. It's a well known legal tactic; if you don't have the facts on your side then 'obfuscate'. In other words turn everyones attention else where. Confuse the issue with meaningless arguments. The intent is not to enlighten the issue but to bewilder. As for looking at the car and phones. If there is nothing incriminating why should the families & lawyers care. In fact maybe what will be found will exonerate them. Some of the legal establishment are there for the clients, the injured, and some for themselves. I thing it's obvious which is which in this case. The families, court, legal system and legal professionals will not be well served by this feeding frenzy.

55 agree | 69 disagree
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12:41 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Brother attacked by tiger pleads for help on 911 recording"

Examiner Reader said:
dear 9;35,you sir are a moron.education system sure failed you.

77 agree | 82 disagree
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10:43 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "City seeks to inspect tiger attack victims' cell phones, car"

Goo Reader said:
I wonder what Roy Horn has to say about this. He knows tiger behavior better than most. (Sigfreid & Roy)

67 agree | 52 disagree
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12:30 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008 re: "Brother attacked by tiger pleads for help on 911 recording"

Examiner Reader said:
I feel remorse for the tiger that lost her life. Who in the hell do these thugs think they are? You can not taunt or abuse animals. They don't deserve a dime. The lawyer that is representing them is as scummy as they are. I have always visited the SF Zoo as a child and adult and will continue to do so. I am in full support of the zoo and will continue to be. Abusing an animal, keeping a pact of secrecy, criminal records. It's disgusting and another way to try to soak some money out of an innocent bystander, in this case the SF Zoo. I hope they get 0 and criminals charges pressed.

74 agree | 62 disagree
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9:38 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "City seeks to inspect tiger attack victims' cell phones, car"

Examiner Reader said:
Inspect their cell phones? Oh, yeah, in case they called somebody to leave a message - "we are going into the zoo to try to be eaten by the lions." Pathetic. These zoo officials are exactly what you would expect of public officials, eh?

70 agree | 77 disagree
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9:34 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "S.F. Zoo to Reopen After Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
The staff did heroic things? What? I have not seen one thing to warrant such as assertion. What as I see from the staff is disbelief, stonewalling, failure to secure the safety of the two remaining live people, self protection of the staff, failure to investigate the claims, tardiness in helping the victims, etc, etc.

58 agree | 49 disagree
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9:30 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "911 Audio Released of SF Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
Acting heroically? This has got to be a joke. The zoo officials have got to be in complete denial. And 911 asking a guy to calm down as his brother is being eaten. This has got to be a feature story in Believe It or Not.

62 agree | 66 disagree
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2:04 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "S.F. Zoo to Reopen After Tiger Attack"

Examiner Reader said:
Well, obviously they were not that hurt. They were still able to run, yell, and shout obscenities at everyone. Not to mention conspire on their tourneys to keep their dumb criminal mouths shut. Guilty as hell little scum criminals hoping to sue and hurt the rest of the animals now. Gimmee a break, they don't deserve a dime.

67 agree | 56 disagree
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1:58 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "Brother attacked by tiger pleads for help on 911 recording"

Examiner Reader said:
One cannot blame the zoo employees for doubting those jackazzs' story about a tiger being loose, they WERE stoned and drunk. Not to mention shouting profanities and incredibly belligerent. Still, the zoo called 911. What are they complaining about? They should be thankful they have their stupid lives after the illegal stunt they pulled.

80 agree | 62 disagree
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1:49 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "S.F. Zoo to reopen amid investigation into fatal tiger attack"

Examiner Reader said:
Fugging dimwit ADULT idiot brothers looking to cash in on their stupidity. 19 and 23 are idiot adults, people.

54 agree | 37 disagree
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1:36 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008 re: "Brothers injured in SF Zoo tiger attacks released from hospital"

Examiner Reader said:
OMG those pathetic moron brothers! Check out their criminal backgrounds and what their poor neighbors have to say about them. Drunk, stoned, and swearing, they wouldn't even tell the paramedics the name of their dead friend. Just let him lay unidentified until the 26th. You know they were throwing rocks and jumped the railing. They are responsible for this whole thing, it wouldn't have happened if they hadn't broken the law. They should be sued! Poor Tatiana!

67 agree | 69 disagree
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6:22 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 12, 2008 re: "Brothers hurt in SF Zoo tiger attack attend funeral service"

laura said:
for the most part we all agree that there is serious human fault here the zoo and then the boys who we all have the same gut feeling that they taunted the tiger. it is a realy sad situation but we all cant be wrong i feel like there is a secret that no one is telling but it will all come out in due time i just hope that people will take this and learn from it animals in the zoo are wild animals and no matter how long they stay in those cages they will always have wild insticts.

62 agree | 53 disagree
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4:16 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 10, 2008 re: "Ex-worker: SF Zoo ignored complaints after keeper attacked"

Goo Reader said:
When does the movie come out? I believe the brothers are at fault.

75 agree | 42 disagree
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6:18 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "Brothers hurt in SF Zoo tiger attack attend funeral service"

SF fan said:
I suspect that somebody has been looking very carefully at everything in that car. Whatever was found was already shared with both the DA and City Attorney. I base this on the fact that Herrera seems so obsessed with the cellphone. If there was nothing relevant on it we'd never have heard about it.

62 agree | 63 disagree
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1:57 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "Tiger victims' attorney attacks those who say animal was taunted"

Examiner Reader said:
re;tiger attack. how in the hell do the people in s f survive their newspapers.hope you dont have an earthquake down there!you wont know about it for a month....unless a lawyer sues somebody over it.

57 agree | 58 disagree
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1:48 PM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "Tiger victims' attorney attacks those who say animal was taunted"

Examiner Reader said:
look out! appears this lawyer will sue AIR if he gets the chance.

62 agree | 70 disagree
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10:34 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "Family prepares to bury teen killed by escaped tiger"

Brown brown said:
they taunted and that is it.. we all know it

72 agree | 63 disagree
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6:07 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 8, 2008 re: "S.F. Zoo Reopens After Tiger Attack"

Ex