Actress Nicola Peltz-Beckham has filed a lawsuit against a Westchester County groomer, alleging that their negligence led to the death of her nine-year-old Chihuahua, Nala. The 29-year-old, who is the daughter-in-law of soccer star David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, claims that Nala was in perfect health when she was taken to a Houndspa mobile grooming van in June. However, Nala reportedly came out of the grooming session hyperventilating and unable to catch her breath.
Peltz-Beckham rushed Nala to a veterinarian, but the beloved pet passed away hours later. In the lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Peltz-Beckham accuses the Bedford-based mobile grooming service and groomer Jony Ceballos of reckless and malicious misconduct. She alleges that Ceballos’s actions directly resulted in Nala’s death and claims that Houndspa’s owner failed to remove Ceballos despite numerous other complaints of abuse.
“Her passing has left a void in our lives, and we want to ensure that no other pet or owner has to endure what we have,” Peltz-Beckham stated. The lawsuit aims to hold the grooming service accountable and to bring attention to the importance of pet safety and proper grooming practices.
Houndspa has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit. However, individuals who work closely with Ceballos have defended him, asserting that he would never mistreat animals. “Jony has always been dedicated and compassionate towards the pets he cares for,” said a coworker who wished to remain anonymous. “We are shocked by these allegations.”
The case has attracted significant media attention, partly due to Peltz-Beckham’s high-profile family connections. As the legal proceedings move forward, the incident highlights the broader issues of pet grooming safety and the responsibilities of service providers to ensure the well-being of the animals in their care.
