Seattle, Washington – August 29, 2025 – King County has agreed to pay $21.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by pit bull attack survivor Gyongyi Bazso Maas, her husband Mike, and their children. This is the largest personal injury settlement in King County history after officials failed to act on repeated warnings about dangerous dogs.
Jogger Mauled by Pit Bulls in Auburn, WA
On February 22, 2022, Gyongyi Maas was jogging near Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn when two pit bulls ran out from a nearby property and viciously attacked her. She sustained severe injuries to her head, legs, torso, and arms, with multiple broken bones requiring extensive surgeries.
Neighbors rushed to her aid. One used a baseball bat to fight off the pit bull, while deputies arriving on scene were forced to shoot one of the dogs. Maas was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. After over a year of recovery, she was able to return to jogging in March 2023.
75+ Complaints Ignored by King County
The lawsuit revealed that from 2018 to 2022, neighbors made more than 75 complaints to King County officials, including Animal Care Services and Code Enforcement. Reported concerns included aggressive dogs, dangerous property conditions, criminal activity, and piles of garbage.
Despite the repeated reports, county officials failed to remove the dogs or address safety concerns. Attorneys argued this inaction was “negligent, willful, and reckless.”
Settlement Details – Largest in Washington State
The $21.5 million payout represents nearly one-third of King County’s 2025 settlement budget. The property owner also agreed to pay insurance policy limits and sell the property so the neighborhood could be restored.
No criminal charges have been filed against the dog owners, who were described as indigent squatters.
Other High-Profile Dog Attack Settlements
This case now holds the record for the largest city or county payout for a dog attack in the United States. Comparable cases include:
- California (2021): $20.8 million jury award for the death of David Fear (later overturned on appeal)
- Los Angeles (2024): $7.5 million settlement for Argelia Alvarado, mauled by a rehomed pit bull
- Montgomery County, Ohio (2020): $3.5 million settlement for the death of Klonda Richey
- Los Angeles County (2019): $1.1 million settlement after Pamela Devitt was fatally mauled by four pit bulls
- Pierce County, Washington (2013): $924,000 settlement for Sue Gorman after repeated ignored complaints
Rising Dog Attack Payouts in the U.S.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog attack insurance payout in 2024 was $69,272. This is up from $16,600 in 2008 and just $644 in 1960 (adjusted for inflation).
Over 70% of severe and fatal dog attacks since 1982 have been caused by pit bulls, according to long-term tracking data.
Attorney’s Statement – “To Be Mauled Is to Be Tortured”
Dog bite law expert Kenneth M. Phillips commented on the case:
“Dog attacks cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries — if the victim survives. To be mauled by a dog is to be tortured, possibly tortured to death. The body can sometimes heal, but the mind may never recover.”
He emphasized that while Maas received a record settlement, no amount of money can truly compensate for the physical and emotional trauma she endured.
Conclusion
The Gyongyi Maas pit bull attack settlement highlights both government negligence and the devastating consequences of dog maulings. It also serves as a reminder that animal control agencies across the U.S. must act swiftly on community complaints to prevent tragedies like this in the future.
