Justice for P Nut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon
Anthony Hernandez
Mission Specialist I Volunteer at Scobee Education Center (NASA-STEM)
“Imagine a world where a kind-hearted couple, Mark and Diana Longo, saved a baby squirrel, P-Nut, from certain death after a tragic accident. They nursed him back to health and gave him a home on their peaceful farm. But their story, a story of compassion and love for animals, has now been turned upside down by an overzealous government that, instead of protecting citizens, has chosen to target the Longo's for doing what was right: saving lives.”
“On October 30, 2024, the Longo's home and farm were raided by state and county officials who executed a search warrant, even though the Longo's had followed every legal requirement to keep P-Nut the squirrel as an educational animal. Despite P-Nut’s growing fame and popularity online— and his role in educating the public about wildlife conservation—officials didn’t investigate properly. They failed to uncover critical facts, and instead of helping, they caused harm.”
“P-Nut and Fred weren’t just animals; they were beloved family members. They were international celebrities, loved by millions for their playful antics and their touching bond. Yet, in the end, both were killed after just one day in custody. Who gave the order? Why were they treated with such cruelty? The Longo's hearts are broken, and the world is left asking: Why was this necessary?”
“The Longo's had been in the process of making P-Nut’s status legal, but the agencies involved failed to do their due diligence. The State of New York, despite its claims of lacking resources for other issues, used its power to conduct a heavy-handed search on a small, peaceful farm, destroying property and ultimately resulting in the deaths of two innocent animals. Worse still, they’ve refused to disclose basic information, hiding behind bureaucratic barriers, denying the Longo's and the public the transparency they deserve.”
“This case goes beyond P-Nut and Fred. It's about ensuring that our government agencies are held accountable, that they don’t abuse their power, and that they respect the rights of individuals—especially when it comes to protecting the welfare of animals. If we stand by and allow this kind of injustice to happen, who’s next? Our society must demand that those in power be held accountable for their actions.”
“The Longo family has suffered enough, and now it's our turn to stand up for them. By supporting their lawsuit against the State of New York, we can ensure that justice is served and that these kinds of government abuses never happen again. Please join us in holding those responsible accountable. Every donation will go toward funding the Longo's legal fight and ensuring that this injustice is not swept under the rug.”
“As an animal lover, I can’t stand by and watch this kind of injustice unfold. The Longo's opened their hearts to P-Nut and Fred, and they deserve our support. I’m donating today because I believe no one should have to fight for their right to save a life.” — Sarah, Animal Rights Advocate
“Justice for P-Nut and Fred is not just about these two animals. It’s about ensuring that compassion and fairness prevail over bureaucracy and cruelty. The Longo family has fought for what’s right. Now it’s time for us to fight for them. Let’s make sure their voices—and the voices of P-Nut and Fred—are heard.
Questions Surrounding the NY Department of Environmental Conservation's Handling of P Nut and Fred
The actions of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in removing P Nut, a squirrel, and Fred, a raccoon, from the Longo household raise serious concerns. Initially, the DEC officers claimed the animals were taken into custody after P Nut allegedly bit one of the officers. However, Mark Longo, the owner of the animals, asserts that all officers were wearing heavy protective gloves during the incident, casting doubt on the legitimacy of this claim.
Several critical questions remain unanswered regarding the handling of the situation:
These unanswered questions point to a pattern of questionable conduct by the DEC and its officers. The public deserves to know the full truth, and the State of New York cannot afford to ignore these concerns. The issue will not simply fade away, and the state's continued lack of transparency only deepens the public’s skepticism.
https://www.boredpanda.com/peanut-the-squirrel-lead-investigator-raid-euthanasia-mark-longo-raccoon/