Nicola Peltz Beckham has reportedly taken legal action against a dog groomer, alleging that her beloved pet chihuahua Nala died due to “intentional and malicious abuse”.
The 29-year-old actress was left devastated after Nala’s death last month, which she asserts occurred just two hours post-grooming by HoundSpa employee Jony Ceballos. She has now initiated a lawsuit against Ceballos, HoundSpa LLC, and the company’s owner Deborah Gittleman in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester, on Tuesday, July 30.
In the legal documents, obtained by PEOPLE, Nicola alleges that Nala’s demise was a result of Ceballos’ alleged “intentional and malicious abuse of dogs.”
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The lawsuit further states: “Nala went into the grooming van, a happy, healthy dog, but returned injured and in severe physical distress – breathing heavily and wheezing, with her chest pulsating. Nala’s tongue was blue, she had fluid in her lungs, and she suffered neurological damage.
“Nala was put on oxygen and cared for as Nicola distressingly and emotionally witnessed her dog suffer.”
As per PEOPLE, the lawsuit accuses the company of “reckless and malicious conduct” for retaining Ceballos despite an alleged “history of complaints” about his “repeatedly” animal mistreatment. The suit concludes: “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.”
Nicola issued a statement to PEOPLE expressing her devastation and outrage. She was shocked and in pain over Nala’s passing last month.
Nicola shared how she was “heartbroken to hear the horrifying stories from so many others who have experienced the same tragedy.” The actress expressed wanting to make changes and laws to help others would not have to experience the same thing. She also added that she’s dedicated her life to saving dogs and won’t stop.
Recounting the trauma on Instagram, she penned: “This has been the hardest month of my life. 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.
“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.”
She asked for people to be careful where they send their dogs to because no one knows what happens behind closed doors.