After what was supposed to be a normal grooming appointment, Nicola Peltz Beckham had to say a sudden and shocking goodbye to her beloved chihuahua, Nala. HoundSpa, a mobile grooming van operating in Westchester County, NY, allegedly picked up Nala outside of the Peltz Beckham's home on June 15, 2024. (Peltz Beckham, 29, is married to model, photographer, and son of Victoria and David Beckham, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham.)
By the time the actress, 29, was reunited with her dog, Nala was "injured and in severe physical distress— breathing heavily and wheezing, with her chest pulsating," according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE that Peltz Beckham filed on July 30. Prior to the appointment, Nala was a "happy and healthy dog."
Mr. Peltz Beckham, 25, announced the death of Nala on his Instagram account on June 15. "You were unexpectedly taken from way us (sic) too soon and hope others don't experience a loss after something as simple as a grooming," he wrote, sharing a photo of himself holding Nala and another puppy.
Deborah "Deb" Gittleman, the owner of HoundSpa, had allegedly received complaints about groomer Jony Ceballos, but continued to employ him. The lawsuit claims that Ceballos "repeatedly" abused and mistreated animals.
The lawsuit, against Gittleman, Ceballos, and HoundSpa LLC, was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester. They stand accused of "reckless and malicious conduct." According to Ms. Peltz Beckham, when Nala emerged from her appointment, "Nala's tongue was blue, she had fluid in her lungs, and she suffered neurological damage." It is unclear what exactly occurred while Nala was in the van that led to this result, but Peltz Beckham rushed the chihuahua to the vet, where "Nala was put on oxygen and cared for" in front of the actress. Since witnessing the death of her dog, Peltz Beckham has allegedly experienced "damages and emotional distress."
In explaining the importance of the case, the lawsuit continues, "This case is about holding responsible those who abuse animals in their care and shedding light on the lack of protections for pet owners and their beloved dogs and pets." HoundSpa and its employees have not responded publicly to the suit.
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