Billionaire Nelson Peltz is currently involved in a legal dispute with a former housekeeper, Miledys Morejon, who claims she experienced terror and sustained injuries due to his rescue pitbull, Houdini, at his $300 million Palm Beach, Florida estate in 2023.

Lawsuit Details and Allegations

Morejon is seeking $75,000 in damages, alleging she repeatedly had to defend herself against the aggressive dog and even hid in a cupboard to avoid being bitten. She contends that Houdini was dangerous and lacked sufficient training.

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

Peltz's Defense

Peltz’s legal team is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign on the property absolves them of responsibility. They maintain that Morejon never suffered a bite or any physical contact with the dog.

However, Morejon’s legal representatives contend that she always accessed the property through a service entrance and never saw the warning sign.

Houdini's Adoption and Family Connection

Houdini was adopted approximately three years ago from Yogi’s House, an animal shelter operated by Peltz’s daughter, Nicola Peltz Beckham. Beckham shared a post on Instagram celebrating the adoption and expressing her happiness about Houdini joining the family.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Morejon’s lawyers have requested Nicola Peltz Beckham’s testimony, but Peltz’s legal team has refused, claiming she possesses no relevant knowledge of the dispute. The initial lawsuit was filed in May of last year, and a settlement offer from Peltz’s team was declined in October, leading to continued litigation.

Court documents indicate Morejon did not directly interact with Nelson and Claudia Peltz, receiving instructions solely through her manager at M&M Security Inc., her employer.

During her deposition, Morejon stated her job responsibilities included cleaning up after the dogs and interacting with Houdini, offering him affection and treats. Peltz’s legal team is attempting to prevent the introduction of evidence regarding their wealth, arguing it could unfairly influence the jury. They also emphasize Morejon’s status as an independent contractor, claiming no duty of care was owed to her.

Furthermore, they allege inconsistencies in Morejon’s account of the incidents, claiming she altered her story regarding the dog’s actions. Morejon’s lawyers, however, argue that the motion for summary judgment is premature, as discovery is incomplete and key witnesses have not yet been questioned.