The State of New York is being sued for $10 million after Peanut the Squirrel was seized and euthanized.
The pet became a social media sensation about 7 years ago, with more than 900,000 followers on Instagram.
Peanut’s international fame started when his owners, Mark Longo and his wife Daniela Bittner, dressed him up and taught him tricks.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut and his friend Fred the raccoon and euthanized them both in October 2024.
Mark made the announcement on Instagram, writing: “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.
“Today at 10am Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024… The NY State DEC showed up to my house and took Peanut. He was TAKEN to the EUTHANIZED. I’m in shock, disbelief, and disgusted to the people who did this to PNUT.
“For the last 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend. He’s been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don’t know how to process this, emotionally.”
The county’s health department and the DEC said that they had received reports about potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets, as per USA Today.
Now, the couple are seeking a $10 million settlement for the state’s ‘execution’ of their beloved pets which has caused distress and a loss of earnings, according to a legal complaint filed on August 7, according to the New York Post.
It is illegal to keep wild animals, including squirrels and raccoons, as pets in New York.
DEC officials claimed Peanut bit an agent through thick leather gloves in the alleged 5-hour raid, which led to both pets being tested for rabies.
The state confirmed the rabies tests were both negative, however, the lawsuit claims the DEC has not apologized nor returned the bodies of the animals.
The court documents allege the killing of the pets was not due to a fear of rabies but a senseless act of violence and ‘obscene demonstration of government abuse’, and lists the state, the DEC and DOH as defendants.
Mark claims that the killing was a premeditated assassination since squirrels ‘do not transmit rabies’.
He claimed that 9 officers swarmed his home at the time of the raid and spent 5 hours ransacking.
Mark and Daniela filed a separate lawsuit on June 27 in Chemung County Supreme Court, against the county, the City of Elmira and 36 people from every level of local and state government which sought unspecified damages through a jury trial.
“Filing these lawsuits will allow us to create a movement,” Mark told USA TODAY. “This was a heinous act by an overpowering government who overreached.”
“As an animal lover, you love your animal, and you do whatever it takes to protect them,” he continued. “They destroyed my family. I cry almost every day knowing that that portion of my life and that chapter is closed.”
Nora Constance Marino, the attorney representing Mark and Daniela, added: “We hope to obtain justice, not just for my clients and the violation of their rights, but for Peanut and Fred, and all animals. We hope that Peanut’s and Fred’s deaths will not have been in vain.”
The couple claim they have experienced emotional trauma from the deaths of Peanut and Fred plus financial losses.
Peanut appeared in monetized social media posts, OnlyFans content and in cameos among others, according to the lawsuits.
