After a viral raid ended with two beloved pets decapitated for rabies tests that came back negative, New York now faces a multimillion‑dollar legal reckoning.

Story Highlights

• Owners of Peanut the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred filed lawsuits after the animals were killed for rabies testing that later returned negative.
• New York could face an eight‑figure payout, including a $10 million Court of Claims demand tied to alleged wrongful “execution.”
• State and county officials cite illegal possession of wildlife and a reported bite to justify the seizure and testing protocol.
• Public backlash and a proposed bill indicate pressure to reform wildlife and public‑health enforcement practices.

What Happened During the Seizure and Why It Matters

On October 30, 2024, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County health authorities raided a Pine City home, seizing Peanut, a social‑media‑famous gray squirrel, and a raccoon named Fred. Officials cited state bans on keeping such wildlife and reported a bite during the encounter. Both animals were euthanized and tested for rabies; results came back negative.

Wikipedia’s compiled record adds that after tests were negative, online backlash escalated, lawmakers condemned the incident, and a bill was introduced to prevent repeats. Together, these sources establish the key facts: a raid, a reported bite, immediate euthanasia for testing, negative results, and a political response that questioned the necessity and proportionality of the state’s actions.

NY could owe P’Nut the Squirrel’s owners $10M for execution of world’s most famous pet

P’nuts owner @Squir_Dad12 has already claimed royalties for this token & we’re only just beginning.

We want justice for P’nut.

ArhUyCSWvDKD7tXcTcgTaYxBkDZiFVkmxzyZXmUJBAGS https://t.co/kEZlihUsKt

— Woke Up Rekt. (@Unpr0fitable) August 10, 2025

The Lawsuits: Claims, Venues, and Potential Liability

By mid‑2025, the owners filed two actions: a New York Court of Claims case seeking $10 million against the state and a Chemung County Supreme Court suit naming multiple state and local officials, with damages to be set by a jury. Media coverage characterizes the filings as alleging wrongful killing—termed an “execution” in complaint language—and loss of emotional and monetized value tied to Peanut’s high‑profile online presence. The litigation posture signals serious exposure for the state if courts find protocols were misapplied.

Watch: P’nut the squirrel’s owner files $10M lawsuit

State defendants emphasize long‑standing rules barring private possession of squirrels and raccoons and the use of euthanasia with brain‑tissue testing after a bite. Public‑health practice typically prioritizes rapid confirmation to protect people potentially exposed, and New York officials leaned on that framework. Plaintiffs counter that negative results and the animals’ domesticated context undermine claims of necessity. The legal question now turns on whether agencies exercised reasonable discretion or violated constitutional and statutory limits while enforcing wildlife and health codes.

Policy Fallout: From Outrage to Proposed Legislation

A bill was reportedly introduced to prevent similar seizures and automatic euthanasia in comparable cases. If courts accept plaintiffs’ damages theories, New York could face a precedent that reshapes enforcement calculus statewide. Agencies may be pressed to demonstrate clearer risk thresholds, exhaust non‑lethal options where feasible, and document decision‑making steps before irreversible actions. For readers concerned about government overreach, the case functions as a test of administrative accountability: whether agencies can be compelled to calibrate power with prudence when families’ companions and livelihoods are at stake.

Sources:

Peanut the squirrel, Instagram star, euthanized by New York state after seizure for rabies testing
Peanut (squirrel)
NY could owe P’Nut the Squirrel’s owners $10M for execution of world’s most famous pet
Peanut the squirrel: owners sue New York state over ‘execution’ of pet after raid