A couple in New York, Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, filed a lawsuit against the state government on August 7 in the Court of Claims of New York. They are demanding $10 million in compensation, alleging that the authorities violated the constitution, acted unlawfully, and abused their power.
The plaintiffs stated in the lawsuit that their beloved squirrel named “Peanut” and raccoon named “Fred” were both domestic companion animals, not wild animals. They were forcibly taken away by enforcement officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) on October 30, 2024. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized and beheaded for rabies testing. The test results later confirmed that both animals were negative for rabies.
Longo and Bittner accused the enforcement officers of illegally detaining them and conducting searches beyond their authorized scope without any evidence of wrongdoing. They claimed that Peanut had a large fan base on social media, generating income through endorsements, sponsorships, and video platforms. Fred also began to gain popularity. The couple believes that the unique personalities and abilities of the two animals are “irreplaceable” and their deaths have caused them serious emotional and reputational harm.
DEC, on the other hand, stated that Peanut bit an officer wearing thick gloves during the search, and as a precautionary measure for public health, the euthanasia and testing of the two animals were conducted. The plaintiffs argued that the euthanasia was not due to rabies concerns but rather an “unnecessary act of violence” and a “disgraceful demonstration of government abuse of power.”
The incident occurred on the eve of the 2024 United States presidential election, garnering national attention and sparking a storm of public opinion on social media. There were even bomb threats received by officials. Prominent figures such as Elon Musk and podcast host Joe Rogan publicly expressed their concerns about the case.
In addition to the lawsuit filed in the Court of Claims, Longo and Bittner also brought related legal actions against local and state officials in the highest court of Chemung County, New York.