US singer Chris Brown has been found liable in a civil lawsuit over a 2020 dog attack that left his housekeeper permanently disfigured, with a Los Angeles jury ordering him to pay $12.9 million in damages.
The lawsuit was filed by Maria Avila, who was attacked by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades while taking out rubbish at Brown’s home in Tarzana, California.
After a two-week trial, the jury found Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, negligent in the incident.
According to court testimony, Avila suffered severe injuries after the dog tore off large sections of her skin, leaving her with permanent facial disfigurement, nerve damage, vision loss and extensive scarring.
During the trial, Brown admitted some responsibility but disputed the extent of Avila’s injuries and argued that she was partly at fault. He maintained that the dog was kept by his security team for protection and was not his personal pet.
The court also heard allegations that Brown left the scene instead of calling emergency services, claiming he feared attracting media attention. He later testified that he was in shock after seeing Avila covered in blood.
Avila told the court the injuries have left her unable to return to work due to reduced arm strength and post-traumatic stress, which prevents her from being around dogs.
In addition to the $12.9 million awarded to Maria Avila, the court also awarded $885,000 to her sister, Patricia, and $50,000 to her husband, Oscar Olivo.
Brown is currently touring the United States and is also expected to stand trial in the United Kingdom later this year over a separate alleged assault case.
SOURCE: BBC
