Owners of Peanut the squirrel plan to sue after he was euthanized

The owners of Peanut the squirrel, a beloved internet sensation, are gearing up to sue the state of New York after their furry companions, Peanut and his raccoon pal Fred, were seized and euthanized by authorities. Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner have filed a notice of claim against the state, alleging government overreach and abuse in the handling of their animals.

The couple’s notice of claim accuses the authorities of violating their rights, invasion of privacy, trespass, and other claims. The animals were taken from the couple’s home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City during a raid by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on October 30. Peanut and Fred were killed to be tested for rabies, a decision that the owners believe was unfounded and unjustified. They argue that the authorities knew the animals did not have rabies.

Attorney Nora Constance Marino, representing the couple, stated that there were multiple constitutional law violations in this case. She pointed out that the Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the actions taken by the government raise questions about the legality of the seizure and euthanization of the animals.

The couple claims that the DEC’s justification for the euthanization, citing a bite from one of the agents during the raid, was fabricated. Even if there was a risk of rabies, the owners believe that the animals should not have been killed and that the agents should have known how to handle the animals without getting bitten.

Peanut, who had over 500,000 followers on Instagram, was a beloved member of the couple’s animal sanctuary, “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm.” The squirrel was rescued by Longo and Bittner at just 5 weeks old after witnessing his mother being hit by a car. Peanut refused to return to the wild and became attached to the couple, inspiring them to establish the sanctuary.

The DEC has declined to comment on the pending litigation. The owners of Peanut and Fred are seeking justice for what they believe was an unnecessary and unjustified act by the authorities. They hope that their legal action will hold the government accountable for their actions and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.