Nicola Peltz Beckham is suing a dog groomer, accusing them of 'intentional and malicious abuse' over the death of her pet chihuahua, Nala.
Actress Nicola, who is married to Brooklyn Beckham, took to Instagram on 16 June to share that Nala had died the day before.
At the time, she wrote: "I can’t even find the words to describe my heartbreak on so many levels. nala was perfectly healthy when she went to the groomers yesterday but came out hyperventilating and couldn’t catch her breath. we rushed her to the vet and she passed hours later."
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Nicola continued: "I’m sharing this in hopes that it might prevent this from happening to other dogs. her life was taken away from her way too soon. she was my beautiful queen and stayed by my side for 9 years through everything. please be careful who you send your dogs to because you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. 1 day without nala on earth feels like an eternity. i wish i could have her back in my arms. i pray she’s with my naunni. i hope i see them soon."
In files obtained by E! News on Tuesday (30 July), it has emerged that Nicola has filed a lawsuit against the New York mobile dog grooming service that looked after Nala, Houndspa LLC, as well as the owner Deborah Gittleman and groomer Jony Ceballos.
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The filing includes the allegation that 'upon information and belief, while grooming Nala, Ceballos not only failed to properly care for her, but also Ceballos violently mistreated and/or intentionally abused the dog, with utter callous disregard for her safety, health and well-being'.
Nala had been booked into Houndspa LLC in order to be bathed and dried, have her nails trimmed and her teeth and ears cleaned.
The lawsuit further claims that Nala entered the groomers a 'happy and healthy' dog, but after 20 to 25 minutes, returned 'injured and in severe physical distress - breathing heavily and wheezing, with her chest pulsating'.
Nicola says she rushed Nala to the vets for urgent care, with the lawsuit alleging that 'Nala’s tongue was blue, she had fluid in her lungs, and she suffered neurological damage'.
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Nala was given oxygen though 'tragically passed away a mere two hours after being in the van with the groomer.'
Further, Nicola is directly accusing groomer Ceballos of previous mistreatment.
The lawsuit adds: "Nicola was shocked as she had not known nor understood that Ceballos was still employed by and being used by HoundSpa as a groomer - even after receiving complaints of mistreatment during his mobile grooming."
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It also claims that when Ceballos was confronted about Nala's treatment, 'his story kept changing about what happened and what he did'.
The lawsuit continues: "Gittleman never should have allowed Ceballos to continue grooming pets in a van without video monitoring cameras after he received complaints of mistreating animals.
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"By retaining him as an employee, and failing to monitor him and his conduct," the filing continues, "Gittleman knowingly and maliciously, or recklessly, put every dog that was groomed by HoundSpa at risk of being harmed."
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In a new Instagram post, Nicola posted a photo of her and her husband Brooklyn with Nala's coffin alongside a statement.
It read: "I am truly still in so much shock and pain over my baby Nala suddenly passing last month following what should have been a routine grooming session.
"I posted the experience on my Instagram to bring awareness, and was heartbroken to hear the horrifying stories from so many others who have experienced the same tragedy. I can't bear it."
She continued: "We need to do better and change the laws to better protect fur babies and the loving owners who care for them. Our pets are our chosen family.
"I've dedicated most of my life to saving dogs and I can't in good conscience let this horrifying act happen to more families. I will work for changes and laws to help make sure no one else ever has to experience this heartbreak. I will always use my voice to protect our innocent babies."
Tyla has reached out to Houndspa LLC for comment.
Topics: Dog, Nicola Peltz, Brooklyn Beckham, Celebrity, News
Kya Buller