American R&B star Chris Brown has been ordered to pay $12.9 million in damages after a Los Angeles jury found him liable for a dog attack that left his former housekeeper with life-changing injuries.
The verdict followed a two-week trial over an incident that occurred in 2020 at Brown’s residence in Tarzana, California, where Maria Avila was attacked by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades while taking out the rubbish.
According to court proceedings, the dog mauled Avila, causing severe injuries that included permanent facial disfigurement, extensive scarring, nerve damage and vision loss. The jury ruled that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, were negligent and awarded Avila $12.9 million in compensation.
During the trial, Brown argued that the dog was kept by his security team for protection and was not his personal pet. He also claimed he had warned workers, including Avila and her sister Patricia, that the dogs were not friendly and should only be approached when security personnel were present.
However, both housekeepers denied receiving any such warning, telling the court that no conversation of that nature took place. They also argued that language differences would have made such a discussion unlikely.
The jury also heard testimony that Brown left the property after the attack instead of contacting emergency services or assisting the injured housekeeper. According to evidence presented in court, the singer feared his presence would create a “media circus,” leaving employees to attend to Avila until first responders arrived.
Brown admitted he was shocked after seeing Avila covered in blood but said he left the scene on the advice of his manager. He also disputed the extent of her injuries and argued that she bore some responsibility for the incident.
Testifying through an interpreter, Avila described the lasting impact of the attack, telling the court she underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts taken from her abdomen to repair injuries to her arm. She said the attack left her unable to return to work as a housekeeper because of reduced arm strength and post-traumatic stress that makes it difficult for her to be around dogs.
In addition to the award granted to Maria Avila, the court awarded $885,000 to her sister, Patricia, while Avila’s husband, Oscar Olivo, received $50,000 in separate damages.
Brown’s legal team has yet to publicly comment on the verdict.
The singer is currently touring the United States alongside R&B star Usher. He is also expected to face trial in the United Kingdom in October over allegations that he assaulted a music producer with a bottle at a London nightclub in 2023. Brown has denied wrongdoing and was previously granted bail.
