Animal rescuer Mark Longo and his partner, Daniela Bittner, have filed a $10 million lawsuit after state and county officials seized and euthanized their beloved rescue squirrel, Peanut, along with a raccoon named Fred. 

The animals were part of the couple’s P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, where they cared for numerous rescued creatures, according to USA Today.

Longo has a successful OnlyFans account under the handle of Squirrel Daddy. The account was so profitable that Longo and his wife were able to buy the farm on which they live from their earnings.

Longo believes that someone was jealous of their OnlyFans success and they turned them in to New York state.

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Seizure and Euthanasia Spark Outrage

In October 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Chemung County Department of Health (DOH) removed Peanut and Fred after an investigator was bitten. Officials claimed the animals needed to be tested for rabies, but both were euthanized the same day they were taken.

According to USA Today, both animals later tested negative for rabies. However, their bodies were never returned to Longo and Bittner.

“Government Abuse” Allegations

The lawsuit, filed in New York’s Court of Claims, names the DEC and DOH as defendants. Longo and Bittner call the incident an “obscene demonstration of government abuse” and a “senseless act of violence,” arguing that there was no legitimate rabies concern.

The couple’s filing, cited by the New York Post, says they suffered emotional trauma from the loss and financial harm because Peanut was a social media personality featured in monetized videos created by Longo.

A Second Lawsuit Filed

As reported by the Washington Times, Longo and Bittner also filed a separate lawsuit against New York State, Chemung County, and other agencies. In that filing, they rejected the term “euthanized,” asserting:

“Peanut and Fred were not ‘euthanized,’ which is the act or practice of killing… hopelessly sick or injured individuals. Peanut and Fred were healthy, young, thriving, happy animals. They were executed, not euthanized.”

While the first lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages, the second lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount.

Sanctuary Life Cut Short

Peanut was a fixture at the P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary and had gained a following for his playful personality. Friends and supporters have taken to social media to express outrage over the animals’ deaths, calling for changes in how wildlife cases are handled in New York.

Longo and Bittner maintain that they will continue to fight for justice for Peanut and Fred, vowing that their case will shine a light on what they view as unnecessary and harmful state practices.

For more details, see coverage from Edge Media Network and Yahoo News.