Leona Helmsley's dog target of lawsuit

SARASOTA, Fla., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The one-time diminutive canine companion of Leona Helmsley is being sued for allegedly attacking one of the late New York real estate mogul's ex-housekeepers.

Zamfira Sfara, 48, is suing the Maltese, to which Helmsley left $12 million in her will, for allegedly attacking her several times while in the hotel owner's employ, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

In her suit, Sfara alleges that while working for Helmsley in 2004, the businesswoman's dog, Trouble, repeatedly mauled her.

Sfara previously targeted the canine with a 2005 lawsuit in which she alleged the dog had bitten her while working for the notorious hotel magnate. That lawsuit ultimately was thrown out of court.

The newspaper said that while awaiting the outcome of the most recent lawsuit, Trouble will continue to enjoy the pampered life in Florida.

The little dog enjoys meals prepared by a gourmet chef and regular grooming under the watchful eye of security experts, all at the cost of $300,000 a year.