Nelson Peltz and his wife Claudia are facing a new lawsuit after a guest, Joy Ransom, was allegedly bitten by their pit bull, Houdini. The incident occurred in December 2025 at the couple's Palm Beach estate, marking the second legal dispute involving the same animal.
The December 23 attack at the $375 million Palm Beach estate
Joy Ransom has filed a lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court claiming she was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a six-year-old rescue pit bull named Houdini. According to the report, the incident took place on December 23, 2025,while Ms. Ransom was visiting the $375 million oceanfront mansion owned by Nelson Peltz and Claudia Peltz.
The legal filing alleges that the dog was loose on the grounds when it launched the attack, resulting in physical and mental suffering for Ms.. Ransom. The plaintiff claims that her injuries are either continuing or permanent, and she is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 through a jury trial.
Mileydis Morejon's settled claim and the 'dangerous dog' precedent
This current legal action follows a previous dispute involving the same dog, which as reported by the Daily Mail, was settled confidentially in April 2025. A former housekeeper, Mileydis Morejon, had filed a lawsuit in December 2024 alleging she was viciously attacked by Houdini, at one point having to use a dust stick to fend off the animal.
Ms . Morejon's case sought damages of more than $75,000 after she claimed the dog tore at her clothing and forced her to hide in a room for safety. Attorneys for Joy Ransom are now using the Morejon case as evidence that Nelson Peltz and Claudia Peltz were already aware that Houdini met the legal criteria to be classified as a "dangerous dog."
Yogi's House and Nicola Peltz's role in Houdini's arrival
The pit bull, Houdini, was originally adopted from Yogi's House, an animal shelter co-founded by actress Nicola Peltz. As reported by the Daily Mail, Nicola Peltz—who married Brooklyn Beckham in 2022—gifted the rescue dog to her father, Nelson Peltz, as a family addition.
While Nicola Peltz was previously involved in the Morejon lawsuit as a witness, her scheduled video deposition was canceled following the April 2025 settlement. The connnection between the shelter's mission and the dog's subsequent behavior adds a layer of irony to the ongoing legal battles surrounding the animal.
The missing microchip and Nicola Peltz's presence during the bite
The lawsuit filed by Joy Ransom raises several specific questions regarding the Peltzes' compliance with Florida law. The filing alleges that Nelson and Claudia Peltz failed to obtain a registration certificate for Houdini, failed to report the dog's dangerous propensities to animal control, and did not ensure the dog was microchipped.
Furthermore, the legal documents ask the couple to admit or deny whether Nicola Peltz was present with the dog at the time of the December 23 attack. It remains unverified if the dog was muzzled or leashed during the incident, and lawyers for Nelson Peltz have not yet responded to requests for comment from the press.
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