$21.8MM Settlement
Maas v. King County et. al.
Following a landmark decision from the Court on July 22, 2025, where the Court found the County had a duty to protect the community from dangerous animals living on a squatter property in unincorporated Auburn, King County has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a jogger who was mauled by dogs while on a run in her neighborhood. She nearly died in the attack.
Gemma Zanowski, one of the attorneys for the Maas family, says:
“The County had every opportunity to prevent this tragedy. Neighbors begged the County to do something about this property, told the County someone was going to die because of these dogs. And the County did not do what it needed to do to protect its citizens. We hope this result brings a measure of justice to both the family and to the people living in this neighborhood, for all they had to endure.”
The County has agreed to pay $21.8 million to settle the lawsuit. The settlement is reportedly the highest settlement paid by King County to resolve a lawsuit for personal injuries.
Property owner Maryanne Hunziker has additionally agreed to pay the policy limits of the homeowner’s insurance policy on the property and has agreed to sell the property so it can be cleaned up and the neighborhood restored.
Condition of the property near the time of the attack.
On February 22, 2022, the 38-year-old mother of two was on a jog in her neighborhood when two dogs ran from the front yard of 28905 45th Place South and attacked her in the street. The dogs dragged her body across the street, back toward the property. Neighbors heard her screams and tried to help but were unable to stop the attack. King County Sheriff Officers arrived on scene and shot one of the dogs, killing it. The second dog was later impounded from the property by Regional Animal Services (RASKC).
The jogger was transported to Harborview in critical condition. She had over 20 surgeries over a two-year period to repair broken bones and lacerations to her face, head, arms, torso, and legs.
Concerned neighbors had called to report issues with this property since at least 2018. Neighbors made over 75 calls to King County Sheriff’s Office, King County Regional Animal Care Services, King County Code Enforcement, and other King County departments, asking the County to address the hazards on the property, including aggressive dogs, criminal activity, and accumulation of odorous garbage and debris.
Vicious, uncontained dogs on the property in November 2020, from King County documents obtained during the lawsuit
In April and August 2021, King County impounded and then released aggressive dogs associated with this property. At least two dogs associated with the property were ordered permanently removed from the County before this attack. The County did not take the necessary steps to ensure both dogs were removed. Aggressive dogs remained on the property.
The lawsuit alleged the County was aware of the dangers associated with this property—including vicious dogs— and failed to take appropriate action to address these dangers. The lawsuit also alleged that both dogs involved in the attack were known to the County to be aggressive and had been impounded by the County and improperly released. The lawsuit further alleged one of the dogs that attacked the jogger was subject to the August 2021 removal order.
The County maintained that it could not determine the identity of either attacking dog, despite an investigation.
Investigation during the lawsuit revealed the County had destroyed the bodies of both dogs, and was unable to locate the investigative report documenting evidence from the attack. On August 15, 2025, the Court issued sanctions against the County for this conduct.
The lawsuit also named both alleged dog owners, Skylar Griffin and Danielle Pulliam. King County has not pursued criminal charges against either owner for the conduct of their dogs.
The family was represented by Stritmatter Law attorneys Gemma Zanowski, Melanie Nguyen, and Lisa Benedetti, along with co-counsel Anthony Alfieri.
Client statement from the family:
“The conclusion of this case allows our family to put this trauma behind us and heal. While I was gravely injured, there are many other people in this neighborhood who needlessly suffered by the conditions allowed to exist at this house for so many years. 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 warnings signs of a threat to the safety of a community so someone else doesn’t needlessly experience similar trauma. We want to see the resolution of this case clean up this nuisance house and bring peace back to the neighborhood where this incident occurred and we are proud the settlement will require the sale of the property. My family and I are eternally grateful to emergency responders and the neighborhood residents who fought to save my life on the day of the attack.”
King County Superior Cause No. 23-2-04763-0