Dallas Zoo's being fined heavily is not enough...

[TexasStooge]

City sued after gorilla escape

By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - More than a dozen people have filed claims against the City of Dallas following last spring's gorilla escape at the zoo. That number surprises city officials, since only a few were actually injured.

During the incident, Jabari injured three visitors, but 14 people have filed liability claims. "This is a little shocking that the claims have multiplied over time," Councilwoman Veletta Lill said.

Cheryl Reichert rescued several children before Jabari attacked her. She wants the city to pay her medical bills and damages for her three children who were there. Her lawyer said they have trouble sleeping and can't be around animals.

Keisha Heard and her son were also severely attacked. They want their medical bills covered, but they also said a second child suffered "emotional loss" and a third has "emotional injuries" from witnessing the attack. Heard's husband, Amos, who wasn't at the zoo that day, claims emotional and financial loss, too, along with the "loss of companionship of his wife."

"Every claim that we receive, we need to determine its validity," Lill said.

The parents of another little girl, who escaped Jabari without physical injury, filed a claim saying she has emotional pain and needs psychological counseling.

Another claim lists two women and two children who claim to have been trampled during the escape.

It's possible that the city may not have to pay anything. Sovereign immunity protects the city, except in certain cases of negligence. The mayor believes the city was not negligent. "We didn't let him out of the cage, and we responded promptly and got things under control. So I think we handled it the best we could, and I would think that ends it there," she said.

Cheryl Reichert's lawyer disagrees, and said if the city denies the claims, they could all end up in court.

Most of the attorneys for those who filed claims did not return phone calls. The two who did chose not to talk on camera. The city Attorney's office also would not comment on the claims.