A Manhattan pizzeria worker who was allegedly beaten by an enraged customer and then mauled by the man’s dog is in a coma, according to his angry colleagues who said they don’t accept his accused assailant’s apology.
Zakaria El Sherief was attacked by a pit bull at Roma Pizza late Aug. 19, police and sources said.
At Roma Pizzeria Saturday, an employee who gave his name as Rodrigo told The Post during a lunch rush that El Sherief was “still in the hospital” and “in a coma,” per his manager, who has been visiting the pizzeria worker since the attack.
Rodrigo said the vicious assault — which was caught on surveillance video — shook workers.
“Not safe,” he said when asked how he felt after the incident.
The brutal beatdown was set in motion when El Sherief told the crazed customer the dog wasn’t allowed in the eatery, cops and sources said.
The dog’s owner, Tyshaun Watson, 35, was hit with an attempted murder charge for allegedly pummeling the employee, authorities said.
The suspect muttered “sorry” when he was cuffed, cops said.
Asked if his colleagues accepted Watson’s apology for the assault, he said bluntly, “Hell no!”
A sign warning customers that dogs weren’t allowed in the pizzeria had been torn down, although Rodrigo wasn’t sure by whom.
“Nobody cares. Nobody listens. We have a sign over here — they took it off,” he said with disgust.
El Sherief tried to wave off Watson for bringing his dog inside the Flatiron eatery, sparking a heated argument, according to sources. Watson flew into a rage, kicking and punching the worker, cops said.
The dog then hopped on top of the injured worker, biting him several times all over his body, according to the video and sources.
Watson also went back and kicked the worker in the head several times, according to footage of the attack.
The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, intubated and unconscious, sources said.
Watson was charged with attempted murder and assault with attempt to cause disfigurement or dismemberment, police said.
“Sadly, since August 19, 2024 Zach has been in the hospital in ICU under critical condition with brain bleeding and is unable to move the left side of his body,” according to a GoFundMe started for El Sherief to help pay his medical bills. The fundraiser has brought in $7,010 of its $50,000 goal.
“Zach is a selfless, hard-working man who will give you the shirt off his back, he is a loving, caring and providing father and husband,” the online call for help says.
