Owner of Peanut the Squirrel, who hit the internet hard after… He was “unlawfully and improperly killed” along with his fellow raccoon Fred by New York officials. They are planning to sue the state. They accused government officials of harassment and abuse.
Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner filed a notice of claim with the state. after the animals were taken from the couple’s northern home and sanctuary in rural Pine City. near the Pennsylvania border During a raid by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on 1 Oct. 30.
The claim accuses officials of violating the couple’s rights by capturing the animals. Invasion of privacy and trespass, among other claims
Peanut and Fred were killed to test for rabies, which is “unfounded” and “unfair,” according to the lawsuit. Authorities knew the animals did not have rabies.
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Peanut, or P’Nut, the squirrel, has 532,000 followers on Instagram. His owners are planning to sue New York state over the animal’s seizure and euthanasia. (@peanut_the_squirrel12/Instagram)
Pet squirrel Peanut was taken away by New York state officials from an adoption home. May be euthanized
The state said one officer was bitten during the raid. This creates the need for testing. new york post Reported
in the notice The couple called that an “excuse” and accused it of being “Evidence falsification,” court documents said, despite the risk of rabies. “This is nearly impossible and controversial.” DEC officials should know how to handle wild animals or other animals without getting bitten, the document said.
“It appears that there have been many violations of constitutional law here. Or at least There are many questions about why the government chose the actions they did,” Nora Constance Marino, the couple’s attorney. Speaking to Fox News Digital, the order “is to enter someone’s home and search it. This is considered a serious violation of that person’s right to privacy. And that is why we have the Fourth Amendment, to protect us from unreasonable searches and seizures.”
“In the same way There are many questions about why Peanut and Fred were killed. There is no reason. to believe that an animal has rabies And killing those animals is beyond the scope of the arrest warrant,” she added. “My client has suffered greatly and continues to suffer as a result of what appear to be egregious actions by the government. The government wields great power. and if left unchecked It may cause damage to the people. That is what makes our United States Constitution so precious and necessary. for honor”
Peanut was rescued at 5 weeks old by his adoptive parents. After his mother was hit by a car (@peanut_the_squirrel12/Instagram)
DEC said it does not comment on potential or pending lawsuits.
The complaint also alleges that “The idea that DEC agents and/or agents of other defendants were ‘bitten’ by peanuts may be false and/or fabricated.”
“It was further submitted that even if the agent had indeed been bitten, killing Peanut would still be unnecessary, unfair, inappropriate and illegal. It was further submitted that there were no claims that Fred the Raccoon had bitten anyone. So the carnage Fred’s actions were unnecessary, unfair, inappropriate and illegal,” the lawsuit states.
Peanut was an internet sensation before his death. The Instagram page dedicated to him had more than 915,000 followers.
Longo and his wife founded an animal sanctuary called “Nat’s Freedom Farm” last year Inspired by the squirrel, Longo told his followers that he took the mouse in after he saw a squirrel’s mother get hit by a car. The squirrel refuses to return to the wild and bond with its lover.
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Peanut or Peanut squirrel who had more than 500,000 followers on Instagram, was euthanized by New York state officials last week. (@peanut_the_squirrel12/Instagram)
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In a previous interview with TMZ, Longo said Peanut’s death had torn his family apart.
“Peanuts are the cornerstone of our non-profit animal rescue,” he said, “and on December 10th to 12th, officers raided my home as if I were a drug dealer. I sat outside for five hours. I had to be escorted by the police to my bathroom.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
