The Story of P’Nut and Fred: Grief, Outrage, and a Legal Battle
Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, caretakers of a small animal sanctuary in upstate New York, have been thrust into the national spotlight following the controversial seizure and death of their two cherished animals: a squirrel named P’Nut and his raccoon companion, Fred.
Who Were P’Nut and Fred?
P’Nut was no ordinary squirrel. He became an internet sensation, featured in countless videos that showed him dressed in tiny outfits, snacking on treats, or playing with Fred the raccoon. Their playful relationship attracted fans from around the world and made them unofficial mascots of Longo and Bittner’s sanctuary — a place they called “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm.”
To their owners, these animals were family. They were raised by hand, socialized, and shared a strong emotional bond with both humans and each other.
The Seizure and Euthanasia
On October 30, 2024, officers from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a raid on the sanctuary. They claimed the couple was illegally keeping wild animals, which require special permits in the state. During the raid, an official claimed P’Nut bit through a pair of heavy gloves — an event used to justify emergency rabies testing.
Despite Longo and Bittner’s pleas, both P’Nut and Fred were taken and euthanized shortly after. According to officials, this was standard protocol for animals suspected of carrying rabies.
Later, rabies tests returned negative — confirming what the couple had insisted all along: the animals posed no health threat and could have been spared.
