Chris Brown ordered to pay housekeeper $13m after dog attack

A Los Angeles jury has found American R&B singer Chris Brown liable for a brutal dog attack that left his former housekeeper with life-changing injuries, ordering him and his company to pay approximately $12.9 million in damages.

The verdict follows a two-week civil trial in California over an incident that occurred in 2020 at Brown's residence in Tarzana, where housekeeper Maria Avila was viciously attacked by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades while carrying out her duties.

The jury concluded that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, were negligent, making them legally responsible for the devastating injuries suffered by Avila.

According to court testimony, the dog mauled Avila while she was taking out rubbish at the property, tearing away large portions of skin and leaving her with permanent facial disfigurement, extensive scarring, vision loss and nerve damage.

The injuries required multiple surgeries, including skin grafts taken from her abdomen to reconstruct her damaged arm.

During the trial, Avila showed jurors the scars covering her face and left arm, explaining that the injuries have permanently limited her mobility and left her unable to return to work as a housekeeper.

She also told the court she continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making it difficult for her to be around dogs.

The court awarded Maria Avila $12.9 million in damages for negligence.

Additional compensation was also granted to members of her family.

Her sister, Patricia, received $885,000, while Maria's husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded $50,000, according to reports.

Following the verdict, Patricia's lawyer, Michael C. Murphy, welcomed the decision.

"After more than five years of litigating against Chris Brown, we are thrilled that we were able to get justice for our client," he said.

During the proceedings, Brown argued that Hades was not his personal pet but was owned and handled by his security personnel to protect the property from intruders.

The singer told the court he had previously warned Maria Avila and her sister that the dogs were not friendly and instructed them not to go outside unless security officers were present.

However, both women denied receiving such a warning, stating that language differences would have made that conversation unlikely.

Brown also said he kept the dogs because he regularly dealt with stalkers and security threats.

One of the most closely scrutinised aspects of the trial involved Brown's actions immediately after the attack.

The court heard that instead of contacting emergency services or assisting the injured housekeeper himself, Brown left the property before police and paramedics arrived.

Brown admitted leaving the scene but told jurors he was in shock after seeing Avila lying on the ground covered in blood.

"The blood kind of freaked me out," he testified.

He explained that his manager advised him to leave because his presence or voice on a 911 call could trigger intense media attention.

Brown acknowledged some responsibility before the trial began but disputed the extent of Avila's injuries and argued that she bore partial responsibility for the incident.

The civil judgment comes as Brown continues to face separate legal challenges in the United Kingdom.

The Grammy-winning singer is due to stand trial in October over allegations that he assaulted a music producer with a bottle at a London nightclub in 2023.

Brown appeared before a UK court earlier this year alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, with both men granted bail ahead of the trial.

Despite the legal proceedings, Brown is currently continuing his concert tour across the United States alongside fellow R&B star Usher.