A Los Angeles jury has found Chris Brown liable for negligence in a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2020 dog attack involving his Caucasian Shepherd, Hades, ordering the singer to pay nearly $13.9 million in damages. The verdict follows a two-week trial over an incident that left former housekeeper Maria Avila with life-altering injuries.
The jury awarded $12.9 million to Avila for severe injuries, permanent disfigurement and emotional trauma after Hades allegedly mauled her while she was taking out the trash at Brown’s Los Angeles home. Avila’s sister, Patricia Avila, received $885,000 for emotional distress after witnessing the attack, while her husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded $50,000.
During the trial, Brown testified that he was shocked by the attack and froze when he saw the amount of blood. He admitted leaving the scene without calling 911, saying he feared media attention because of his celebrity status.
According to testimony, employees at the property later contacted emergency services and secured medical help for Avila. Brown had argued that the dog was kept for security and claimed workers had been warned not to enter certain areas without protection, but the jury ultimately found him and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, responsible for negligence.
Following the ruling, Avila’s attorney described the verdict as long-overdue justice after nearly five years of legal proceedings. The judgment comes as Brown is currently touring the United States alongside Usher, adding another legal and financial challenge to the Grammy-winning singer’s career.
