Nicola Peltz is facing a countersuit from her former dog groomer who claims she was comparatively negligent in the death of her chihuahua, Nala.
The 30-year-old actor and wife of Brooklyn Beckham had initially filed a lawsuit against HoundSpa, its owner Deborah Gittleman, and groomer Jony Ceballos over her pet's death in 2022.
Ceballos's legal team has now responded in court, challenging Peltz's claims and arguing she bears responsibility for the incident.
According to Peltz's lawsuit, Nala went into the grooming van “happy and healthy” but returned in “severe physical distress.”
The suit details that the dog was “breathing heavily and wheezing, with her chest pulsating” after the grooming session.
Peltz immediately rushed Nala to a veterinary clinic, located 15 minutes away.
The actor had previously raised concerns about the groomer, noting her brother had complained about Ceballos's services before the incident.
Tragically, Nala passed away just two hours after the grooming van incident, according to the lawsuit.
An emergency veterinarian discovered fluid in the dog's lungs and signs of neurological damage.
“All Nicola could do was try to provide Nala comfort through her own heartache and pain, as she watched Nala suffer through debilitating injuries and die,” the lawsuit states.
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The suit claims the dog's injuries and severe condition led to her untimely death shortly after the grooming session.
In June 2024, Peltz shared the news of Nala's death on Instagram alongside photos of her beloved pet.
“This has been the hardest month of my life,” she wrote.
She warned other pet owners about the incident, stating: “Please be careful who you send your dogs to because you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.”
The actor revealed that Nala had been by her side for nine years, calling her “my beautiful queen.”
“1 day without Nala on earth feels like an eternity,” she added.
The stars wife has been countersued by the company
Ceballos's defence team has claimed in legal documents that Peltz “failed to state a cause of action.”
The documents, reviewed by InTouch, show the defendant's lawyers arguing that Peltz herself bears liability through “comparative negligence.”
This legal response comes after Peltz's initial allegations that HoundSpa's owner should not have allowed Ceballos to work with her dog, given previous complaints.
The case continues to develop as both parties present their legal arguments in court.
