P’Nut the Squirrel’s owners have announced that “justice will be served” in their plans to sue New York state after their home was raided and their beloved internet-famous pets, including their raccoon Fred, were seized and killed.
Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner filed a notice of claim against the state after their pets were taken by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on Oct. 30 and promptly killed.
During the raid of their home, an agent claimed to be bitten by P’Nut on the thumb, which spurred rabies tests of the animals.
Rabies tests require the decapitation of the animals in order to get samples of their brains.
“Results are negative,” Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss said in a report in November following their deaths.
A reported timeline of the death of animals suggests that “the animals’ deaths were planned before the bite.”
The pet owners spoke out on social media, warning on Wednesday that “justice will be served.”
“P.Nut and Fred, your voice was heard around the world. I cannot thank you enough for that accomplishment,” Longo said in a social media video.
He continued, “The government is not going to get away with this. Justice will be served for not only Fred and P’Nut but animals moving forward. People moving forward. We will show the world that it is not OK to overstep boundaries.”
During an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, X executive Elon Musk defended P’Nut’s owners.
“Here’s the thing about the whole squirrel thing … How can it be that we live in America, supposedly the land of the free, and the government can barge into your home with guns? So if you resist, you’re gonna get shot. And then take your pets and execute them. If they can do that to your pets, what do you think they can do to you?” Musk asked on the podcast.
“It’s not an exaggeration,” Rogan agreed.
“Absolutely,” Musk said.
“Why would you kill that cute little squirrel who was obviously a pet and train since the time it was a baby? If you see the interaction that the guy had with that squirrel, it was wonderful!” Rogan said.
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“I think this should really get people out there mobilized,” Musk said in the Nov. 4 interview with Rogan. “I hope people just go out there and vote for P’nut, man. If nothing else. Just vote.”
Longo and his partner operate an animal rescue on their large rural property. Their beloved squirrel had been with the family for seven years.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
