Nicola Peltz Beckham Sues Groomer Over Dog’s Death

Nicola Peltz Beckham has taken legal action against the groomer who worked on her chihuahua Nala shortly before her death.

The actress filed a lawsuit against Jony Ceballos, Deborah “Deb” Gittleman and HoundSpa LLC in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester, on Tuesday, July 30.

In a filing obtained by PEOPLE, the 29-year-old alleges that Nala’s death, which she and her husband, Brooklyn Beckham, announced on Instagram, was caused by groomer Ceballos’ alleged “intentional and malicious abuse of dogs.”

Nicola accused grooming company HoundSpa and its owner Gittleman of “reckless and malicious conduct” after keeping Ceballos employed following the alleged “history of complaints” about him “repeatedly” mistreating and abusing animals.

According to the lawsuit, Nala “passed away a mere two hours” after being worked on by Ceballos in a mobile grooming van outside Nicola’s home on June 15 due to her “injuries and severe condition.”

“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,” the lawsuit claims.

Nicola allegedly then rushed Nala to a vet who was a 15-minute drive away and observed that “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,” the lawsuit continued.

After witnessing Nala’s death, Nicola has allegedly experienced “damages and emotional distress.”

“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,” the lawsuit adds.

PEOPLE has reached out to HoundSpa for comment.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE after filing the lawsuit, Nicola said she continues to still be “in so much shock and pain over my baby Nala suddenly passing last month following what should have been a routine grooming session.”

“I posted the experience on my Instagram to bring awareness, and was heartbroken to hear the horrifying stories from so many others who have experienced the same tragedy. I can’t bear it. I’m outraged to hear how common stories like Nala’s are,” her statement continued.

Nicola, who is an avid dog lover, vowed to “work for changes and laws to help make sure no one else ever has to experience this heartbreak.”

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“I’ve dedicated most of my life to saving dogs and I can’t in good conscience let this horrifying act happen to more families,” her statement added.