Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages to a former housekeeper who was brutally attacked by one of his dogs at his Los Angeles-area home.
A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of Maria Avila following a two-week trial, finding Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, liable for negligence.
Avila was awarded $12.9 million over the 2020 attack, which left her permanently disfigured and struggling with ongoing mobility problems, according to Billboard.
The former housekeeper testified that she was taking out the trash at Brown’s home in Tarzana, California, when she was suddenly attacked by Hades, a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd the singer kept for security.
The dog reportedly tore large chunks of skin from Avila’s body and caused severe injuries to her face and arm.
Avila’s sister, Patricia, who was also working at the home when the attack happened, was awarded $885,000. Avila’s husband, Oscar Olivo, received an additional $50,000, Billboard reported.
Brown also testified during the case and described discovering Avila covered in blood after the attack.
“The blood kind of freaked me out,” Brown said, according to the BBC.
The singer said he was “in shock” and left the scene after his manager advised him to go. Brown explained that he feared the situation would turn into a “media circus” if his voice was heard on the 911 call or if he was still at the home when police arrived.
Brown argued that he had warned Avila and her sister to stay away from the dogs, which he admitted were “absolutely not” friendly.
The sisters denied that such a warning ever took place. They also pointed to a language barrier, arguing that the alleged conversation was unlikely to have happened as Brown described it.
Brown said he kept the dog for protection because his fame often places him in what he called “stalker-type situations.”
The singer, known for hits including “No One Else,” is currently touring with Usher and was preparing for performances in Detroit on July 2 and 3.
Brown is also facing a separate trial in the United Kingdom this fall over an alleged 2023 nightclub attack.
In July 2025, he pleaded not guilty to causing bodily harm to a music producer. He also denied possessing an offensive weapon, described by prosecutors as a tequila bottle, during the alleged confrontation.
Brown’s attorney has been contacted for comment.