Chris Brown Ordered to Pay $13m to Housekeeper Attacked by His Dog

R&B star Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a Los Angeles jury found him liable in a lawsuit filed by his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, who was brutally attacked by one of his dogs in 2020.

The verdict followed a two-week trial over the incident, which occurred at Brown’s home in Tarzana, California, where Avila was mauled by Hades, a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd, while taking out the trash. She suffered severe facial injuries, permanent arm damage and lasting mobility issues.

The jury awarded $12.9 million to Maria Avila for negligence. Her sister, Patricia Avila, who witnessed the attack, was awarded $885,000 for emotional distress, while Maria’s husband, Oscar Olivo, received $50,000 in damages.

During the trial, Brown admitted he found Avila seriously injured but said he left the scene before emergency responders arrived on the advice of his manager, fearing intense media attention. He also argued that he had warned staff about the dog’s aggressive behaviour, a claim disputed by the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit, filed in 2021, accused Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, of negligence in failing to prevent the attack. After more than five years of litigation, the jury ruled in favour of Avila, bringing the high-profile legal battle to a close.

The ruling adds to Brown’s long list of legal challenges, coming as the Grammy-winning singer continues his music career and prepares to face separate legal proceedings in the United Kingdom over an unrelated assault case.