There’s a major uproar surrounding the treatment of P’Nut, a pet squirrel, and his raccoon friend, Fred, who, according to a recent lawsuit, were tragically killed by New York authorities.
On October 30, a group of officers and agents from the state’s environmental conservation and health department stormed the Pine City Animal Sanctuary, where both animals were living under the care of Mark Longo.
Even though P’Nut and Fred were kept in a home environment, New York law classifies squirrels and raccoons as wild animals, making them illegal as pets. It’s a strange rule; I mean, they were clearly domesticated, right?
During the raid, officials claimed that P’Nut bit one of their agents through thick gloves. However, the state later confirmed that tests for rabies came back negative, yet no apologies were issued, nor were the remains of the animals returned.
This incident has sparked outrage among animal enthusiasts and critics of government overreach, especially given the timing just before the presidential election.
Longo and his wife, Daniela Bittner, filed a 40-page lawsuit in Kemun County Supreme Court, expressing their anger. They argue that the actions taken against their pets were “a pointless act of violence” and “an obscene demonstration of government abuse.”
Interestingly, the lawsuit also states that no actual bite occurred. If it had, one would expect the agent to have experienced some sort of illness, especially given they were supposedly trained to handle animals safely.
According to the court filing, the lack of any repercussions for the alleged bite suggests that there was no bite at all, or if there was, it resulted from the agents’ own mishandling.
Longo mentioned that they felt ignored when asking for the return of their pets’ remains and argued that the killings went beyond the authority granted by the search warrant.
Ever since this tragic event, the couple claims to be experiencing emotional distress and financial hardship, highlighting how their pets were a significant part of their online presence.
The lawsuit lists various state officials and departments, as well as local authorities, all implicated in this situation.
Longo expressed hope that this could lead to justice for them and all animals. His lawyer, Noraconstance Marino, also emphasized the broader implications for civil rights.
As of now, the defendants have not responded to any inquiries for comments.
