Judge cuts $12.9m Chris Brown dog-attack award to $9.5m

A Los Angeles County judge has ruled that the $12.9 million a jury gave to housekeeper Maria Avila over a dog attack at Chris Brown's home was excessive. Judge Huey P. Cotton said Avila must accept $9.5 million instead, or the case will go to a fresh trial on damages, in an order reported on 29 September 2026 Billboard.

The order is conditional, which means Avila holds the choice. If she consents in writing to the lower figure, the $9.5 million award stands and the argument over money ends. If she refuses, a second jury will hear the case again but only on damages, the legal term for money paid to cover physical injury, emotional harm and related losses.

The liability finding stands. The earlier decision on who was responsible for the attack will not be reheard, only the amount that must be paid.

In June, jurors awarded Avila $12.9 million for physical and emotional injuries after she was mauled in 2020 at Brown's home in Tarzana, California. The dog was a Caucasian shepherd named Hades. It weighed 200 pounds, according to trial evidence reported at the time Billboard. Avila had gone outside the house when the attack happened.

Brown gave evidence during the trial. He testified that he had warned Avila not to go outside unaccompanied because of the dog's behaviour. He described Hades as unfriendly. The jury ruled in her favour despite that warning and set the award at $12.9 million.

After the verdict, Brown's lawyers challenged the result. They argued jurors had been biased by hearing mention of his assault of singer Rihanna. Cotton rejected that argument. He found Brown had received a fair trial.

The judge also left a second award in place. Avila's sister, who brought her own claim over the same 2020 attack at the house, keeps the separate $855,000 the jury awarded her. That figure was not reduced.