Introduction to the Incident
P’nut, a beloved pet, and its raccoon buddy Fred were not put to sleep but were maliciously executed by the New York authorities. The incident occurred on October 30th, when a swarm of police officers and agents from the state environmental protection and health departments raided Mark Longo’s home in Pine City.
Background of the Incident
The two animals lived peacefully in Longo’s home, but it is illegal to keep squirrels and raccoons as pets in New York, where they are classified as wild animals. During the raid, a DEC officer claimed that one of his agents was bitten, which led to the state putting down and beheading the animals to test their brain tissue for rabies.
Aftermath of the Incident
The state later admitted that the rabies tests were both negative, but it never apologized or returned the corpses of the two pets. The episode was condemned by outraged animal lovers and conservatives as a malignant example of state overreach.
Lawsuit Filed
Longo and his wife Daniela Bittner filed a 40-page lawsuit in the Chemung County Supreme Court, accusing the authorities of a "senseless act of violence" and "obscene demonstration of abuse of government abuse." The lawsuit claims that the bite never happened, and if it did, the agent should have been vaccinated against the disease and trained in the safe handling of animals.
Demands for Justice
The couple is seeking justice for the murder of their pets, which they claim exceeded the scope of the search warrant carried out on that day. They are also seeking compensation for emotional trauma and financial losses after the loss of their star pets, who had become internet sensations.
Defendants Named
The lawsuit names several defendants, including state-related DEC agents, Chemung County, the sheriff’s office, and the Ministry of Health, as well as 20 unidentified DEC investigators and 10 unnamed district officials. The city of Elmira, its police authority, and Elmira Animal Control are also listed as defendants.
Conclusion
The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought, but Longo hopes that justice will be served not only for his pets but also for their civil rights and all animals. His lawyer, Nora Constance Marino, stated that she hopes justice will be served for her clients and for the protection of civil rights and animal welfare.
