Justice for P’Nut? You’ll Be Outraged When You Hear What Allegedly Happened!

A legal storm is brewing between the state of New York and the owners of P’Nut, a beloved squirrel with an online fan base, after state agents seized and killed him. The squirrel’s owners, Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, claim the government’s justification for the act is riddled with inconsistencies and potentially fabricated.

On October 30, officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided Longo and Bittner’s upstate New York home and animal sanctuary, P’Nut’s Freedom Farm. The raid resulted in the immediate seizure and killing of P’Nut and his raccoon companion, Fred. State officials cited rabies concerns after claiming P’Nut bit an agent during the raid. However, Longo and Bittner argue this was a baseless excuse, pointing out no evidence has been provided to support the claim.

“The killing of Peanut and Fred was not due to fear of rabies, but rather, was a senseless act of violence, perpetrated by government officials in an obscene demonstration of government abuse and an overreach of government power,” the couple stated in their legal filing.

In their notice, Longo and Bittner accused state agents of acting recklessly and in bad faith. They asserted that neither P’Nut nor Fred showed any signs of rabies and that their well-documented care and behavior should have made the animals’ health status clear.

“The excuse to kill these animals regarding ‘rabies’, or any ‘fear’ of the threat of rabies, is/was unfounded, irrational, illogical, unjustified, and unavailing,” the document said.

Adding fuel to the controversy, previous reports suggest plans to euthanize the animals were made days before the raid, challenging the narrative that P’Nut’s alleged bite prompted their deaths.

The couple’s claim underscored the emotional toll of the event, portraying P’Nut and Fred as intelligent and charismatic creatures who relied on human care for survival. They accused agents of treating the animals roughly and killing them in a manner inconsistent with humane practices.

“Peanut and Fred were not ‘euthanized,’ which is ‘the act or practice of killing or permitting death in the case of hopelessly sick or injured individuals,’” the claim said. “They were executed, not euthanized.”

Post-mortem rabies tests on both animals came back negative.

The legal filing paints a troubling picture of the raid, alleging excessive force and intimidation. Longo and Bittner said armed agents detained them for hours, ransacked their home, and threatened to investigate Bittner’s immigration status.

“Said killing is final and could not be reversed or cured, thus further denying claimants’ right to due process,” the couple argued.

The couple maintained they had adhered to state regulations for their sanctuary and were in the final stages of obtaining permits to keep P’Nut indoors legally. Fred, who was younger and rescued in poor condition, was being prepared for release into the wild.

Despite following protocols, Longo and Bittner said they were never given a fair chance to defend their animals.

The couple is now suing the state for damages, though they have yet to specify an amount. They are also highlighting what they see as a disturbing abuse of governmental authority.

“[The DEC’s] unnecessary, unjustified, improper, and illegal acts were nothing more than an abuse of power and government overreach,” the claim stated.

P’Nut, rescued as an orphaned squirrel seven years ago, had become a symbol of hope and love for his caretakers. His untimely death, alongside Fred’s, has now sparked a broader conversation about animal welfare and government accountability.

For Longo and Bittner, the fight isn’t just about compensation. It’s about seeking justice for two defenseless creatures whose lives were taken without due cause.