Pet squirrel and raccoon victims of government raid claim wrongful death

A lawsuit has been filed alleging that a beloved pet squirrel, P’Nut, and his raccoon companion, Fred, were deliberately killed by authorities in upstate New York, rather than euthanized due to rabies concerns. The incident occurred during a raid on October 30 at an animal sanctuary in Pine City, managed by pet owner Mark Longo.

During the operation, officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) claimed P’Nut bit an agent through leather gloves, prompting the animals’ euthanasia and decapitation for rabies testing. However, subsequent tests showed both animals were negative for rabies. The lawsuit contends that the animals’ deaths were unnecessary and represent a flagrant abuse of government authority.

Longo and his wife, Daniela Bittner, have expressed their grief and outrage over the loss of P’Nut, who had garnered fame online through social media, OnlyFans, and other monetized platforms. The couple has demanded the return of the animals’ remains, but their requests have reportedly been ignored, and they argue the killings exceeded the scope of the search warrant.

The suit disputes the occurrence of the bite, asserting it was fabricated or the result of inadequate handling by authorities. It also criticizes the officials’ handling of the situation, citing lack of proper training or vaccination on their part. The lawsuit names multiple DEC agents, local and state officials, and law enforcement agencies involved in executing the warrant.

Longo states, “This is our opportunity to make change and seek justice for P’Nut and Fred,” and his attorney, Nora Constance Marino, adds, “We hope justice is done, not just for our clients but for all animals and our civil rights.” The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined through a jury trial and aims to highlight concerns over government overreach and animal rights during the controversial raid.