A former housekeeper has sued billionaire financier Nelson Peltz and his wife, Claudia, with the woman saying she was hurt after the couple’s dog, Houdini, lunged at her while she worked at their North End Palm Beach estate.

The lawsuit was filed in Palm Beach County on Dec. 16 by Mileydis Morejon, who is seeking more than $75,000 and claims the Peltzes’ negligence led to her injuries.

The Peltzes in court filings denied any wrongdoing. Nelson Peltz is the former chairman of the board of Wendy’s fast-food chain. He also co-founded the asset management firm Trian Partners with fellow Palm Beacher Peter May.

According to court records, Morejon worked as a housekeeper at the Peltz home in the 500 block of North County Road on Nov. 2, 2023, when she said Houdini tried to attack her.

While Houdini did not make contact with her, Morejon’s lawsuit claimed she “was injured when she fell to the ground attempting to escape from Houdini’s attack.”

“Houdini had a vicious nature, a vicious disposition, and/or had a propensity to attack and/or attempt attacks,” and the Peltz family knew this, the lawsuit said.

The dog was not controlled and had not been provoked when he lunged “suddenly and without warning” at Morejon, she claimed in the complaint.

Mileydis Morejon has sued North End Palm Beach residents Nelson and Claudia Peltz, saying their dog caused her to be injured after it tried to attack her at the couple’s North County Road home, seen here in March 2024.

Leading up to the November 2023 incident, Houdini attacked or tried to attack Morejon two other times, including once where the dog ripped her clothes, and another time where she used a vacuum cleaner to defend herself against the dog, according to the court record.

The lawsuit cites a Florida law that says dogs’ owners will be liable “for any damage done by their dogs to a person.”

Nelson and Claudia Peltz's Montsorrel estate on North County Road in Palm Beach comprises more than 13 acres with three separately taxed properties on either side of the coastal road.

Nelson and Claudia Peltz’s Montsorrel estate on North County Road in Palm Beach comprises more than 13 acres with three separately taxed properties on either side of the coastal road.

The Peltzes said Morejon’s injuries were not caused by Houdini, who “did not display an aggressive or affirmative act that could be said to be the legal cause” of Morejon’s injury.

They said in their responses that Morejon worked for an independent contractor for the Peltzes, so they do not bear any liability.

Before the Nov. 2, 2023, incident, Morejon had “routinely encountered and cleaned up after Houdini” in her work as a housekeeper, the Peltzes said in the court filings.

The Peltzes on Oct. 12, 2022, adopted Houdini from Yogi’s House, an animal rescue based in Los Angeles, where his name was Count, according to an Instagram post from the rescue.

At the time, the dog was 5 years old. He was surrendered to the rescue by a previous owner, Yogi’s House said in the post, adding, “He loves to give hugs and always wants you to hold his paws. He’s got lots of energy and loves to play. He’s great with people and other dogs.”

In an April 16, 2023, Instagram post, the Peltzes’ daughter, Nicola Peltz Beckham, posted a photo of herself with Houdini. On Feb. 19 in another Instagram post, Peltz Beckham said that her parents have two dogs, Houdini and Herman, and they are best friends.

The Peltz estate in Palm Beach sits on more than 13 acres and includes a beachfront mansion and a guesthouse across North County Road. They bought the properties in 1987-88 in deals totaling $21 million. They have been involved in Palm Beach philanthropy for decades, and their recent contributions include a pair of donations last year: $100,000 to the Palm Beach Police Department, and $50,000 to Palm Beach Fire-Rescue, approved for acceptance by the Town Council on Dec. 10.

Morejon is represented by attorney Tim Vannatta of Rubenstein Law, and the Peltzes are represented by attorney Rachel Studley of Wicker Smith, court records show.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Ex-worker sues Palm Beach billionaire, wife, says dog caused injuries

Share.
2025 © Network Today. All Rights Reserved.