A Los Angeles jury has ordered Chris Brown to pay nearly $13 million to his former housekeeper after finding him liable for a brutal dog attack that left her permanently disfigured. The $13 million judgment came down on Tuesday following a two-week trial that exposed the harrowing details of the 2020 mauling at the singer’s Tarzana mansion.
Maria Avila was emptying trash outside the property when a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades attacked without warning. The dog tore off large chunks of her skin, leaving her with severe facial scarring, nerve damage, and vision loss that required multiple skin graft surgeries. Her sister Patricia, who witnessed the aftermath, and her husband Oscar were also awarded additional damages for emotional distress.
Avila tearfully testified that she still struggles with limited arm mobility and post-traumatic stress, unable to return to work as a housekeeper because clients have dogs. Her daughter recounted a panicked call from the scene minutes after the attack: “I did not think she was going to make it”.
Brown argued the dog was a security animal, not a personal pet, and claimed he warned staff not to go outside unaccompanied. He admitted some liability but disputed the severity of Avila’s injuries. Jurors also heard that Brown fled the scene rather than calling 911 himself, he testified he feared a leaked recording would create a “media circus” due to his celebrity status.
The jury ultimately awarded Avila $12.9 million in damages. Her family’s attorney called it justice after more than five years of litigation. The verdict arrives as Brown continues his co-headlining tour with Usher.
