Survivor of tiger attack gets prison time

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- One of the brothers who survived a tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for violation of probation.

Paul Dhaliwal, 20, and his brother, Kulbir, 27, were at the zoo with a friend, Carlos Sousa, 17, when a Siberian tiger escaped from an enclosure on Christmas Day, 2007. The tiger mauled all three, killing Sousa.

Dhaliwal's legal troubles began in April 2007, when he was arrested after leading police in Santa Clara County on a chase that reached speeds of 140 mph. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years probation.

Within three days of sentencing, he was charged with marijuana possession and has also been charged in Alameda County with shoplifting. This week, a judge imposed the 16-month term, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, making that sentence concurrent with another one for getting involved in a scuffle with a police officer.

Dhaliwal could face more time for shoplifting. His brother goes to trial this week for the fight with police.

The brothers and the Sousa family have filed lawsuits against the zoo.