singer Chris Brown He was ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a jury found him “negligently” responsible for a dog attack that left one of his housekeepers permanently disfigured.
Chris Brown found responsible in dog attack case
A jury reportedly ruled on June 30 that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, must pay $12.9 million in damages to housekeeper Maria Avila, who was bitten by the singer’s 200-pound Caucasian shepherd while she was working at the singer’s California home.Michael C. Murphy Jr., an attorney representing Maria’s sister, Patricia Avila, confirmed the verdict.According to Billboard , Patricia, who was working with her sister at the time of the incident, was awarded a separate $885,000 settlement for emotional distress. Maria’s husband Oscar Olivo also received a $50,000 prize.
Housekeeper opens up about dog attack
Maria, the housekeeper, was reportedly taking out the trash outside Brown’s residence when the dog allegedly attacked her without warning. She claimed the dog tore off “huge chunks of her skin” and left her with permanent facial disfigurement, scarring, vision loss and nerve damage.Maria filed a lawsuit against Brown in 2021, and the case went to trial in June 2026.
Chris Brown claims he ‘warned’ housekeeper about dogs
Ahead of the two-week trial, Brown admitted he was partly responsible for negligence but disputed the severity of Maria’s injuries and argued she was partly responsible for the incident.Brown testified on June 18 that he personally warned Maria and Patricia that the dogs on the property were “definitely not” friendly. He said the dog was purchased to guard the property and help protect the house from break-ins. “I’ve been in a lot of stalker-type situations,” he told the jury.
Lawyers react to verdict
After the verdict, attorney Michael C. Murphy Jr. said, “We are pleased that we were able to obtain justice for our client, Patricia. We are extremely happy for her and her family after that horrific day. It was an honor to represent her.”