DALLAS – Dallas council members will vote next week on a proposed $500,000 settlement for victims of a 2004 gorilla attack at the city zoo.
Dallas-Fort Worth television station KTVT reported Friday that two families will share the money for injuries they suffered in an attack by a 340-pound western lowland gorilla named Jabari. Attorney Ray Jackson, who represents one of the families, confirmed the settlement amount.
The 13-year-old gorilla was loose for 40 minutes after jumping over a 12-foot wall inside its enclosure. Jabari bit one toddler and two other people before police shot and killed him.
Nine-year-old Rivers Heard still has scars on his head and chest from the attack.
City spokesman Frank J. Librio says the city council meets June 17 and will consider the settlement.
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