Chris Brown is facing a dog bite lawsuit from former housekeeper Maria Avila, who claims she was attacked by his security dog, “Hades.” The attack occurred on December 12, 2020, when Avila was taking out the trash at his home in Tarzana, California. She claims the dog bite incident resulted in nerve damage, vision loss, and permanent disfiguration.
According to Avila’s claims, following the attack, Brown came outside and stood over her while on the phone, before fleeing the scene. She further alleges he later instructed his team to euthanize the dog over 600 miles away to destroy evidence.
Brown claims he was upstairs at the time of the incident and came outside after hearing the dog growl, at which point he found Avila on the ground. According to Brown’s statements, after ensuring Avila was breathing, he secured the dogs and notified his security guard and manager, who then called the 911 dispatcher and instructed him to leave. Brown denies responsibility in relocating the dog, maintaining that his manager managed the situation and that the animal belonged to his head of security. Brown also alleged that Avila provoked the attack.
After years of legal battles, Avila continues to seek $90 million in damages. The personal injury trial is scheduled for June 15, 2026, during which Avila hopes to use photo evidence to showcase her dog bite injuries. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Brown is attempting to block these images from being shown in court.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite Attack in Los Angeles, California?
Los Angeles County has one of the highest rates of dog bites in the United States, with an estimated 20,000 dog bites each year, although many go unreported. Dog attacks occur from dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages, and can result in serious physical and emotional injuries. Because dog bite injuries can require extensive medical and emotional care, and financial losses, it is important to pursue legal action with the help of a Los Angeles dog bite attorney to recover these damages.
Under California Civil Code Section 3342, regardless of whether a dog bite occurs on public property or if the victim is lawfully on private property, the dog owner is legally responsible. There is no “one-bite” rule, meaning the owner is still liable even if the dog has no history of biting or aggressive behavior.
Similar to other personal injury claims, dog bite claims must be filed within two years of the attack under California’s statute of limitations, or the victim may lose the right to pursue compensation. A personal injury attorney (Tarzana) can assist with the legal process of filing a dog bite lawsuit so you can focus on recovery.
Although dog owners are generally liable for attacks, exceptions may apply in rare situations, including if the victim was trespassing or illegally on private property, physically provoked, harassed, or abused the dog, or if the dogs were defending a military/law enforcement officer, apprehending a suspect, or executing a warrant. A personal injury defense attorney (Los Angeles), with a specialty in dog bites, can help you assess the validity of such claims.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney – Tarzana
Reporting a dog bite can be complex, as it may require coordination with the dog owner, insurance, and local authorities. Having a skilled and experienced dog bite attorney in Tarzana, CA, such as John J. Perlstein, will help you achieve your desired legal goals, navigate the complex legal landscape, and obtain the settlement you deserve.
John J. Perlstein has over 25 years of experience standing by dog bite victims in the Los Angeles area, and has helped them achieve just legal outcomes. If you have recently been bitten by a dog in the Los Angeles or Orange County area, contact knowledgeable Los Angeles dog bite attorney John J. Perlstein today by calling (213) 252-1070 or by filling out this form.