King County will pay $21.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman who was brutally attacked by two dogs whilst jogging in an unincorporated Auburn neighbourhood, marking the largest personal injury settlement in county history.
Gyongyi Maas, then 38, was running near 28000 45th Place South on February 22, 2022, when two dogs escaped from a residential property and began attacking her. Neighbours who heard her screams attempted to intervene but could not stop the assault before King County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived.
The dogs dragged Maas across the road during the prolonged attack, leaving her with severe injuries to her head, legs, torso, and arms, including multiple broken bones. A deputy ultimately shot and killed one dog whilst the second fled and was later captured by animal control officers.
The settlement reveals a pattern of ignored community warnings about dangerous conditions at the property. Maas’s legal team documented more than 75 calls to various King County departments since 2018, reporting aggressive dogs, criminal activity, and hazardous debris accumulation at the residence.
Neighbours had repeatedly contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office, Regional Animal Care Services, and Code Enforcement regarding the property’s threats to public safety. Despite these warnings, county officials failed to take sufficient action to address the escalating risks.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s office acknowledged the settlement whilst noting unique legal circumstances that placed financial responsibility on the county. “While King County did not own the animals or the house involved in this incident, the settlement represents the unique legal framework in Washington where the county must cover the entire loss suffered by a plaintiff when the other parties involved lack sufficient resources to pay the judgment,” officials stated.
The settlement terms require the property owner to pay homeowner’s insurance policy limits and sell the property for cleanup and neighbourhood restoration. However, King County has not pursued criminal charges against either alleged dog owner despite the severity of the attack.
Maas and her family expressed hope the settlement would prompt policy reforms to prevent similar incidents. “We hope this case compels King County to evaluate their policies and procedures, and act with a higher sense of urgency when faced with multiple warning signs of a threat to the safety of a community,” they stated.
The case highlights systemic failures in responding to community safety concerns and the devastating consequences of inadequate enforcement action. For King County, the record settlement underscores the financial and human costs of failing to address known hazards despite repeated warnings from residents.
County officials committed to reviewing response processes and strengthening coordination between departments to prevent future incidents, though specific policy changes have not been detailed.
