Nicola Peltz parents sued in second dog attack case
Claudia and Nelson Peltz, parents of Nicola Peltz Beckham, face a second dog-attack lawsuit in two years after their rescue dog Houdini allegedly attacked employee Joy Ransom on December 23, 2025. The claim seeks more than $50,000 and says Nicola Peltz was present when the incident occurred.
Key Takeaways
- Joy Ransom alleges rescue dog Houdini attacked her at the Peltz residence on December 23, 2025.
- Court filings cited by People say Nicola Peltz was present and the dog was unrestrained.
- A prior December 16, 2024 Palm Beach incident involving Houdini was settled confidentially, per reports.
- Ransom seeks over $50,000 for alleged bodily injury, pain, and medical costs; the family has not publicly responded.
What happened in the latest Nicola Peltz family dog lawsuit?
According to court documents cited by People, employee Joy Ransom alleges that Houdini attacked her on December 23, 2025 while she was working at the Peltz residence. She says she was not negligent in causing the incident.
The complaint claims Houdini “was not under any form of restraint or control” and that the family knew the dog is “prone to attack people.” It also alleges Houdini never had K-9 or behaviour training. Nine.com.au reports the family adopted the five-year-old rescue in October 2022.
AOL, citing related coverage, says Houdini was a rescue gifted to Nelson and Claudia by Nicola Peltz from an animal shelter she co-founded. The filing further alleges the Peltzes previously failed to report the pet’s “dangerous propensities” and failed to obtain a certificate of registration for Houdini.
Why does a second Houdini lawsuit matter for Nicola Peltz?
This is the second alleged dog-attack case tied to Houdini in about two years, raising fresh scrutiny of the high-profile in-laws of Brooklyn Beckham. The earlier Palm Beach claim said that on December 16, 2024, Houdini was “lunging and attempting to attack” an employee, causing a fall and injury. That matter was settled confidentially, according to AOL.
Ransom’s suit also asserts Nicola Peltz was present during the December 2025 incident, linking the actress and model more directly to the latest allegations even though Claudia and Nelson are the named defendants. For readers following celebrity legal flashpoints alongside wider market and wealth coverage on our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub, the case stands out because Nelson Peltz is a billionaire investor often valued around $1.5 billion.
What damages is Joy Ransom seeking from Claudia and Nelson Peltz?
Ransom is seeking more than $50,000 (about A$71,000) for alleged bodily injury and resulting physical and mental pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity and/or permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition, plus hospital and medical bills. Reports say claimants want a jury trial.
AOL quotes the filing stating that as a direct result of the defendants’ alleged negligence, Joy suffered bodily injury and that the injuries are either permanent or continuing. The complaint also claims Houdini had, on at least one occasion, attacked Joy Ransom and other business invitees.
Have Nicola Peltz or her parents responded to the lawsuit?
As of reporting by Nine.com.au, Claudia and Nelson Peltz had not made a public statement. AOL similarly notes that Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham have not publicly commented. Nine said it had contacted representatives of the Peltz family for further comment. All claims remain allegations unless proven in court.