Latest news with #NewYorkCourtofClaims
Express Tribune
11-08-2025
- Express Tribune
New York faces $10M lawsuit over killing of P'Nut the Squirrel and raccoon Fred during state raid
The State of New York may face a $10 million payout over the killing of P'Nut the Squirrel, an internet-famous pet, and his raccoon companion, Fred. Owners Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner allege that state investigators unlawfully seized and killed the animals during an October 30, 2024 raid on their Pine City home and animal sanctuary, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in the New York Court of Claims. The New York Post reports that officers from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) carried out the operation, citing New York's ban on keeping squirrels and raccoons as pets. DEC officials claimed P'Nut bit an agent through thick leather gloves during the raid, prompting both animals to be decapitated for rabies testing. Tests later came back negative for rabies, but the couple says the state has not apologized or returned the remains. Court filings describe the killings as a 'senseless act of violence' and 'obscene demonstration of government abuse,' alleging the actions were unrelated to any public health risk. Longo and Bittner say they have suffered emotional trauma and financial losses, as P'Nut had gained a substantial online following through Instagram, OnlyFans, Cameos, and other monetized content. This lawsuit is separate from a June 27 filing in Chemung County Supreme Court, in which the couple sued the county, the City of Elmira, and 36 local and state officials, seeking damages to be determined at trial. Both the DEC and DOH have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, the New York Post reports.
New York Post
09-08-2025
- New York Post
P'Nut the Squirrel's owners want $10M for animal's execution: Lawsuit
The brutal seizure and execution of the world's most famous squirrel threatens to cost the State of New York a staggering eight-figure settlement. Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, the grieving owners of P'Nut and his raccoon sidekick, Fred, are seeking $10 million in damages for the death of their pets at the hands of investigators, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in New York Court of Claims. A swarm of cops and agents from the state Environmental Conservation and Health departments descended on the couple's upstate Pine City animal sanctuary Oct. 30, where the animals were living inside Longo and Bittner's home. Advertisement 3 Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner are seeking $10 million in damages for the deaths of P'Nut the Squirrel and his raccoon pal, Fred, at the hands of state investigators. LP Media 3 The couple has suffered emotional trauma and financial losses since losing their star squirrel, who had become an Internet celebrity, according the lawsuit filed Thursday and a separate one filed June 27. PNut the Squirrel/ Instagram It is illegal to keep squirrels and raccoons as pets in New York, where they're considered wild animals. Advertisement DEC officials claimed that P'Nut bit an agent through thick leather gloves during the raid, which required both animals to be decapitated and tested for rabies. Although the state later admitted the rabies tests were both negative, it has never apologized nor returned the bodies of either animal. The killing of P'Nut and Fred was 'not due to a fear of rabies' – but a 'senseless act of violence' and 'obscene demonstration of government abuse,' charge the new court documents, which list the state, the DEC and DOH as defendants. The allegations echo those outlined in a separate lawsuit filed by Longo and Bittner on June 27 in Chemung County Supreme Court, against the county, the City of Elmira and 36 individuals from every level of local and state government. 3 DEC officials claimed that P'Nut bit an agent through thick leather gloves during the raid, which required him and Fred to be decapitated and tested for rabies. AP Advertisement That suit sought unspecified damages to be determined by a jury trial. Lawsuits filed in the state Court of Claims, like the one this week, require specific damages be listed. The couple has suffered emotional trauma and financial losses since losing their star squirrel, who had become an Internet celebrity, appearing in social media posts, OnlyFans content, Cameos and other monetized media, according to both suits. A DOH spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation. The DEC did not return requests for comment.
