SAN FRANCISCO —  Two brothers who were attacked by an escaped tiger at the San Francisco Zoo have filed claims against the city alleging negligence and defamation.

Mark Geragos, who is representing Kulbir and Paul Dhaliwal, submitted papers seeking monetary compensation for "serious physical and emotional injuries" on Wednesday. The claims are a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit.

The documents allege the city and the San Francisco Zoological Society failed in their duty to provide a safe zoo environment, defamed the brothers by spreading falsehoods about their possible role in provoking the attack and improperly impounded Kulbir Dhaliwal's car.

The claims do not specify a dollar amount for the damages.

The pair were injured on Christmas Day after a 250-pound Siberian tiger scaled the walls of its enclosure, attacked them and killed their friend, 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr. The animal eventually was shot dead by police.

The walls of the outdoor enclosure later were found to be lower than the height recommended by an accrediting agency for the nation's zoos.