The two brothers attacked by Siberian tiger Tatiana at the San Francisco Zoo filed claims against the city, as they previously announced. This is the first step in suing the city for alleged negligence and defamation.

"The Dhaliwal brothers' attorneys have made clear from the beginning that they intended to sue the city," said Matt Dorsey, a spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera quoted by AP.

On Christmas Day, the 250-pound Siberian tiger Tatiana scaled the walls of its enclosure, which were found to be lower than recommended by a zoo accrediting agency, attacked the Dhaliwals and killed their friend, 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr. In the aftermath of the attack, the animal was shot dead by police.

San Francisco police pondered whether to seek criminal charges against the Dhaliwals, after zoo officials claimed the tiger may have been taunted or agitated by its eventual victims, but the investigation was suspended after about a month. The zoo also impounded their car following the attack.

The Dhaliwals were left with scars after deep cuts and bites from Tatiana. Meanwhile, one of them, Paul Dhaliwal, 19, was caught stealing two Nintendo Wii controllers in his pants at the Target store at the Bayfair Center mall about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, San Leandro police Lt. Tom Overton said to San Francisco Chronicle.

They had other troubles with the law. On Sept. 7 both brothers were charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, two misdemeanors. Paul Dhaliwal, the now-alleged-thief, was also charged with misdemeanor battery on a police officer.