Billionaire Nelson Peltz is being sued by a former housekeeper, Miledys Morejon, who claims she experienced repeated terror at the hands of his rescue pitbull, Houdini, at his $300 million Palm Beach, Florida estate in 2023.

Lawsuit Details Alleged Attacks

Morejon is seeking $75,000 in damages, alleging she frequently had to defend herself against the aggressive dog, even hiding in a cupboard to avoid potential bites. She asserts Houdini was dangerous and lacked sufficient training.

The lawsuit details incidents where the dog reportedly ripped Morejon’s clothing and lunged at her, causing her to fall and sustain injuries to her back, neck, and knees. Morejon’s lawyers argue the Peltzes were aware of, or should have been aware of, Houdini’s aggressive tendencies and failed to adequately secure or supervise him.

Peltz's Defense and 'Beware of the Dog' Sign

Peltz’s legal team is attempting to have the lawsuit dismissed, citing a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign posted on the property. They contend this sign absolves them of any responsibility for incidents involving the dog.

However, Morejon’s legal representatives argue she always accessed the property through a service entrance and never saw the warning sign. They are seeking testimony from Nicola Peltz Beckham to support this claim.

Houdini's Adoption Story

Houdini was adopted approximately three years ago from Yogi’s House, an animal shelter operated by Peltz’s daughter, Nicola Peltz Beckham. Beckham previously shared a post on Instagram celebrating Houdini’s adoption and welcoming him into the family.

Ongoing Legal Battle and Discovery

The lawsuit, initially filed in May of last year, saw a settlement offer from Peltz’s legal team in October, which Morejon rejected. Peltz’s lawyers are also attempting to prevent the introduction of evidence regarding the family’s wealth, arguing it could unfairly influence a jury.

Court documents indicate Morejon did not directly interact with Nelson and Claudia Peltz, receiving instructions through her manager at M&M Security Inc. During her deposition, Morejon stated her duties included cleaning up after the dogs and even giving Houdini treats.

Morejon’s legal team maintains that discovery is incomplete, key witnesses have not been questioned, and a motion for summary judgment is premature. They also highlight inconsistencies in Morejon’s account of the incidents, as pointed out by Peltz’s lawyers.