Latest news with #P'NuttheSquirrel
Express Tribune
a day ago
- 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.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Hampshire lawmakers want to avoid P'Nut the squirrel repeat
(NewsNation) — Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire are proposing that raccoons and squirrels should be considered legal pets. It follows widespread outrage at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for seizing and euthanizing P'Nut the Squirrel, the beloved pet of a New York man, last year. The NYSDEC also confiscated and euthanized the man's raccoon, Fred. House Bill 251 would allow gray squirrels, which P'Nut was, and raccoons to be kept as pets without the need for a permit with a caveat. Trump to sign executive order on student loan forgiveness program 'If a wildlife rehabilitation facility makes the determination that the animal cannot survive in the wild and such animal is up to date on any vaccines required,' the bill reads. The bill, if passed, would also not allow the confiscation or euthanization of the animals unless permission from the owner was given. Women honored for saving victim being attacked at Ohio park However, there are concerns that the measure would increase the possibility of rabies transmission. According to the New Hampshire Bulletin, the chief of the Fish and Game Department's wildlife division said the agency is unapproving the legislation. 'The bill references that a squirrel or raccoon would have to have any required vaccinations,' Dan Bergeron, the division chief, said. 'There are no statutes that we have that require vaccinations for either of these animals, and one of the main reasons for that is because there are no approved vaccines for these animals because they are wild animals,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
